Wen shoved a piece of furniture in front of the door, lifted their backpacks, and carried them into the bedroom once they’d locked themselves inside the apartment. Gerri followed him around. He ditched the backpacks, then did another search of the apartment. He shook his head, implying nothing had changed since they’d left. She relaxed but he still lifted a finger to his lips, hinting for her to keep her voice low if she spoke.
“We’re safe here, sweetheart.” He said that loud, in case the pack was listening from another apartment or the hallway.
“I know. I trust you. Should we get some sleep? I’m tired.”
“Sure.” He took her back into the bedroom.
She began to strip but Wen shook his head, just removing his shoes. Gerri hated sleeping in her clothes, but she knew Wen didn’t want them naked in case of an attack. She just removed her shoes as well, then climbed on the bed.
He pushed her to the side nearest the wall, and took the outside of the bed as they settled down. Then he pulled her close, pressing his mouth against her ear as they cuddled up together. “That Vamp is fucking nuts,” he whispered.
“I agree. So can we leave yet?” He’d know she was really asking if he could just kill Horton already. He wasn’t playing with a full deck of cards, so it was best if he was taken out quickly. Anyone who’d spent any time with him would have seen that too. Whatever he’d said or done in his bid to start a war probably wasn’t taken too seriously by anyone with a brain.
Wen hesitated. “Not yet. He’s just looking for a target for his rage. Now he’s focused on Decker.”
“I get what you’re saying.” It would be nice if Horton killed Decker. “He can’t touch him though. His own council is keeping that jerk safe.” She couldn’t see a reason to let Horton live since there was no way he’d be able to get to the ex-clan leader.
“Let’s give it time,” Wen whispered. “At least he might change his tune if we allow him to contact his friends.”
In other words, Wen hoped the false rumors Horton had circulated about VampLycans would be put to rest if he ranted about Decker and the council instead. “Then I hope he has a big mouth,” she whispered.
Wen chuckled. “It will make him seem more unstable. We’ll give it some time, let him do his thing, then mission over.”
“Got a plan about how to do that?”
“It’s going to be tougher than I thought but we’ll see what happens during the day.”
She guessed he was hoping the Lycans would grow bored hanging around the building and thin out some while the Vampires slept. It would be easy for Wen to kill them while they slept. “Still a lot of company around us, huh?”
He pulled her closer. “Yes.”
“They aren’t going to let us out of here without a fight, are they?”
He shook his head.
“Is it safe to sleep?”
“We’ll take turns. Are you tired?”
“No. That nap I took helped. You sleep first. I’ll wake you if I hear anything.” She might not have his keener senses, but someone would have to come through the door or a wall to get at them. That would be plenty noisy enough for her human hearing to pick up.
Wen’s hold on her eased after a while and she knew he had fallen asleep. She shifted her head a little, listening for any sounds. The floor overhead creaked, as if someone walked above them, but the rest of the building was silent. It left her with time to think.
Once Wen felt it was time to kill Horton, they would have to fight their way out. It would also mean her time with Wen would almost be over. She curled into his big warm body a little closer, inhaling his scent. Tears filled her eyes but she fought them back. It would be hell giving him up a second time. She’d loved him when she’d been a young girl and those feelings hadn’t changed. They might not be as close as they once had been but her heart didn’t care. It wanted to keep Wen forever.
Her mind found another option. Maybe Wen could use her on future missions; they would get to spend more time together. He was young for a VampLycan, though. She’d age but he wouldn’t. One day, she’d either become too old to be sexually appealing to him, or he’d find a mate he could take home to his family.
It would come with another steep price if she made that her future. She’d have to give up the thought of ever getting married or having her own family. The loneliness would also be unbearable each time he was back in Alaska, until he could return to her.
The unfairness of it broke her heart. Anger surfaced too, all directed at Wen’s parents. They’d never liked her but they should want their son to be happy. Instead, they’d forced him to step into Gerbin’s shadow, and to shoulder all the responsibilities of first son that went with it. Wen had honor. He’d do anything to please the couple that had given him life.
She wondered if they realized how miserable they made their son, or if they even cared.
A noise outside near the street drew her attention, and she carefully rolled away from Wen, climbed out of bed, and peeked out the curtain. Dawn approached, the sky a glow in the distance, the night not so dark. Street lights were still on, so she had no problem spotting Horton and Joel below in the backyard of the building.
They seemed to be arguing. Horton pushed the bigger alpha, making him stumble. Joel responded by flashing fangs and rising up, puffing out his chest. It was a defiant act, even a threat. Horton backed out of sight but he remained outside, judging by the way Joel glared where Gerri assumed a door must be.
Joel finally nodded, spun, and motioned with his hand. Two men stepped out of the shadows along the back wall. She hadn’t spotted them with her human eyes before that. They met him in the middle of the small yard. A short discussion ensued, then the Lycans broke apart. Joel returned to the building but his two men returned to their positions in the shadows.
She let the curtain go and returned to the bed to curl up with Wen.
“What is it?”
She should have known he’d wake the moment she moved. “Tension between our new friends,” she whispered. “Alphas don’t like to take orders.”
“No, they don’t. I might not have to take out the Vampires after all.”
She smiled, snuggling into him tighter. “No shit, but that leaves us with an unhappy pack.”
“It wouldn’t be a problem if they weren’t rogues.”
“Because they wouldn’t be working with a crazy Vamp?”
“No, because I’d challenge for alpha and kill theirs.”
“You don’t want a pack.”
“No, but I wouldn’t have to fight all of them at once. I’d disband them.”
“You could do that?”
He shrugged. “It doesn’t matter, since they don’t follow the rules.”
“Go back to sleep.”
She stayed awake long after Wen dozed. It was more important that he got plenty of rest instead of her. He was the one who’d be doing the fighting if shit hit the fan. She did smile when Wen muttered unintelligible words in his sleep, obviously dreaming.
* * * * *
Wen jerked awake. G.L. peacefully slept next to him. He carefully got out of bed so he didn’t disturb her and checked his cell phone. It was afternoon but there were no texts. He stalked out of the bedroom and into the living room, rubbing the back of his neck. It hadn’t been a nightmare that woke him, but more of his past replaying in his head. The day the clan had learned of Gerbin’s death always haunted his dreams, but the fact that he was effectively in enemy territory had probably been the cause this time.
He wanted to punch something, the anger still gripping him. It had been devastating to learn of his older brother’s death, but worse, he’d gotten into a physical fight with his father. It would be the first of many over the years since that day.
“What’s wrong?”
G.L.’s soft voice made him turn. He hadn’t heard her at all, too distracted by his memories. She was adorable with her mussed hair and sleepy gaze. He crossed the room and pulled her into his arms, just needing to hold her. It didn’t matter if they had a day or a week. Their time would be too short.
She wrapped her arms around his waist, clinging to him. “What happened? I’m sorry I fell asleep.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Everything here is fine. It’s all quiet.” He listened to the building around him, double checking. “I probably should do recon.”
He tried to release her but Gerri tightened her grip and lifted her chin. He looked down, staring into her beautiful eyes.
“What’s wrong? Are we in deep shit? Just tell me. I’m in this with you a hundred percent.”
He stroked her hair away from her face. The curly ringlets wanted to wrap around his thumb and he smiled. “We’re fine. This is a ‘me’ issue. I had a dream and woke agitated.”
“What kind of dream?”
“It more like a bunch of memories merging together and replaying as I slept.”
“Talk to me,” she whispered. “Your eyes are really dark. Do you need to shift?”
He got control of his Lycan side and forced his body to relax. “Better?”
“Yes. They’re a pretty blue again.”
“Are you trying to tell me they aren’t attractive when I’m shifted?” He liked to tease her.
She smiled. “You’re always attractive when you’re in skin. I don’t care what color your eyes are.” Her good mood faded and she grew serious. “Talk to me, Wen. When I walked out here, you looked ready to attack someone.”
“I relived the day word came to us of Gerbin’s death.”
She pulled him over to the couch and tugged on him until he sat next to her. “Tell me about it.”
“I should see how many Lycans are guarding the building.”
“It won’t matter if you do that now or in a few minutes. Talk to me. Please?”
He could deny her almost nothing when she stared at him with that vulnerable look on her face, making him guess his refusal might hurt her feelings. “Hang on a minute.”
He left her on the couch and turned on water in the kitchen sink, then turned on the shower in the bathroom. He flipped on the television in the living room, then sat next to her again. All those noises would help hide their voices if anyone was listening from other apartments. He leaned in, speaking softly.
“I heard my mother’s shrieks and rushed to their home.”
“You didn’t live with them still?”
He shook his head. “I’d built a cabin nearly a mile from them. I’d hit maturity age a few months before. I’d been outside, chopping wood when I heard her. I dropped the ax and ran. A group of the clan, including Trayis, was gathered in front of their cabin. My mother was on her knees, my father beside her with his arms around her. Trayis turned, and I just knew Gerbin must be dead.” He paused, emotion almost choking him. “My father lifted my mother and carried her inside. Trayis told me he’d been contacted by the pack Gerbin played guardian to. A nest of Vampires had killed my brother. Everyone in that area was aware of who he protected, and they taunted the pack by sending his bloodied clothing to the alpha.”
“I’m sorry, Wen.” She took one of his hands in hers, holding it tight.
“The healer came and sedated my mother. She wouldn’t stop wailing and carrying on. Gerbin was her heart.”
“You are too,” Gerri whispered.
He forced a smile. “There is a bond with a mother and her firstborn that I’ve always been aware of. I know they love me, but Gerbin…” He shook his head. It hurt knowing it would have been easier on his parents if he’d been the one to die instead. “My father came outside and ordered me to go after the nest responsible. He couldn’t leave my mother alone in her grief to seek vengeance. It was up to me.”
Gerri frowned but said nothing.
“Trayis said I wouldn’t be going alone. Gerbin was his friend and one of his enforcers. He put together a team to assist me.”
“Good. I take it you were able to kill them all?”
He nodded. “Yes. We’d hoped to retrieve Gerbin’s body to bring home for burial on clan lands, but the ones we tortured before death said their master had burned his body.”
“I’m so sorry.” She pressed against his side.
He debated on telling her the rest.
“What else?” She peered up at him with narrowed eyes.
G.L. had always known him too well. “I returned home to discover a naked VampLycan waiting for me in my bed. My father wanted me to take a mate, and he began sending them to my house to test matings. He tried to order me to fuck and bite them, even if I didn’t have the urge.”
Her mouth parted and he saw jealousy glint in her eyes. He more than understood. “I was furious. He informed me that with Gerbin gone, he and my mother expected a grandchild immediately. They feared something would happen to me too. I had to put locks on my cabin to keep him out, so he couldn’t let more women in. Trayis eventually gave me land farther from theirs after a few years of that bullshit happening every few months, so I built another cabin. One tougher to break into, so my father couldn’t allow women inside to wait for my return.”
She lowered her gaze to his chest. “Did you test matings with those women?”
“No. I threw them out.”
“I’m glad Trayis helped you.”
He snorted. “It wasn’t just for my sanity; it was pissing off other clans my father had reached out to, looking for unmated women to come meet me. They were insulted when I threw their clothes at them, ordered them to get dressed, and shoved them out of my home. Trayis ordered my father to stop.”
“Did he?”
He shrugged. “In a way. He stopped breaking into my home before the women arrived to give them the impression they’d be welcomed when I returned. He’ll probably have one staying with family when I return from this mission to push at me. I’ll get invited to dinner and a woman will be there. My parents do that shit every time I go on a mission.”
“That must be rough.”
He studied her and smiled. “I’ve never fucked them, G.L. Not once. I knew it would be pointless because I’m not even attracted to them.” His humor fled. “I also don’t trust anyone who my father sets me up with. They want that grandchild too damn much and I’m sure those women are smart enough to know they’re being used, and they’re allowing it. Hell, they’re willing to birth a child with me knowing I don’t want it.”
“But it’s not like you could get a VampLycan pregnant unless you mate to one.”
“That’s not true.”
She looked surprised.
“We’re part Lycan. I deal with a lot of them since I go on missions often for the clan. In some cases, they can bypass the mating requirement if their numbers are so low they’re facing extinction as a pack.”
“I don’t understand.”
“Mind-over-matter kind of thing. A Lycan can force her ovaries to work, force herself to ovulate to get pregnant if she’s motivated enough, even if she’s not mated. We’re all aware of what happened to poor Bran.”
“Who?”
“Bran. He used to be a member of our clan until one of Decker’s women set her mind to fool him into getting pregnant. She masked the scent of her ovulation and had sex with him. He didn’t even know he had a son until after Veso was born. He left our clan to care for his son, since she didn’t want to raise him, but she refused to allow Bran to bring Veso to our clan.”
“I never heard anything about that.”
“We don’t like to discuss it, but since it happened to Bran, every male is given that talk now once they hit adolescence, to avoid a repeat.”
“Was there a talk about humans?”
He grinned. “You bet there was. My father lectured me often about how you couldn’t control your body, so I wasn’t allowed to touch you. He didn’t like the way I spent so much time with you. As soon as I started getting boners, he pulled me aside.”
“I bet he did. Why did that woman do that to this Bran?”
“Because she was with Decker’s clan. Some of them have no honor. Decker wanted stronger bloodlines and sent her after Bran. Veso is strong. He refused to become an enforcer for Decker but he’s agreed to be one of Lorn’s, now that he’s taken over.”
“I’ve missed a lot while I’ve been gone. I can’t believe Decker no longer leads his clan.”
“It’s been great all around. Now if only Lord Aveoth could find the bastard so he can’t give us more trouble. He’s hiding with the Vampire Council.”
“Why do you think the council is even bothering to offer him sanctuary?”
“Are you kidding? To have a VampLycan and a group of his enforcers in their debt?”
“Got it. Power. Greed.” She paused. “But they already rule all the nests.”
“Word is that not all Vampire nests like the council.”
“You mean rogues.”
“No. Some nests are decent ones, but they don’t want to be under the thumb of the council anymore. The council keeps the peace, from what we know about it, but it’s also are run by a bunch of outdated thinkers. They forbid Vamps from being too friendly with humans or other races.”
“Isn’t that a good thing?”
He hesitated. “One of the clans has become friendly with a master. I’m not allowed to share too much information but Trayis requested permission to talk to this guy, since we’re dealing with the fallout of Decker going to the Vampire Council. He wanted as much intel about them as possible. This master said the council are a bunch of elitists who think they’re too good for all other races. Mich—” He cleared his throat. “This master is more of a modern thinker. He wants peace between everyone. The council wouldn’t be thrilled if they knew he allowed Lycan packs to roam in his territory, or that he doesn’t treat humans as if they’re cows. He has a rule that none of his are allowed to feed off them. They only use bagged blood in his nest and pay humans to donate it. The council would frown on that.”
“Because humans are cattle to Vamps.”
“The council seems to believe that. There are nests who want them disbanded so they don’t have to fear censure if their modern practices ever comes to light.”
“Would this master be punished if the council found out he lets Werewolves into his territory and pays for human blood so no one is bitten?”
Wen nodded. “They’d think he was unfit to lead his nest. They’d sanction his death.”
“Yeah. I can see why the council might need to be disbanded.”
“That’s for another day. One nest at a time.” He straightened up. “I need to see how many are guarding us during the day. I won’t go far. Lock the door when I leave and scream if anyone comes at you. I’ll stay within hearing distance.”
She clung to him when he tried to rise.
He hesitated, peering into her eyes. “What is it?”
“You changed the subject, I noticed. Why were you so upset when I woke up?”
He couldn’t help but smile. G.L. did know him too well. “I’m fine. I told you. It was just dreams.”
“But?”
“I don’t want to let you go…and I realized what’s going to happen when it’s time for us to part.”
“Some VampLycan is going to try to bed you.”
“That won’t happen. It’s just that when I’m with you, I try hard to forget about reality. That dream made me realize nothing will be able to change.”
“As in, your parents will never let me stay with you.”
“Yes.” He sighed. “I must recon, G.L.”
She let him go that time, releasing his hand. “I know. Mission first. Go. I’ll stay on alert.”
He stood and walked to the door. Gerri was on his heels. He unlocked the door and sniffed, picking up the strong scent of Lycan. He eased out into the hallway without looking back. The door gently closed and he heard the locks slip back into place.