Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“Okay,” I say with a heavy sigh and notice Larkin looking at the bite mark on my neck. “It’s a long story,” I offer.
She raises her eyebrows. “I can prescribe you an antibiotic for that.”
“I’m fine.”
“It looks nasty and painful.”
I shrug. “It’s not fun, but I’ve had worse.”
Looking like she’s quite literally biting her tongue, she turns away but then trains her eyes right back. “I always assumed a vampire like Xavier wouldn’t, uh, tear your flesh.”
“It wasn’t him.” My words come out quickly and I shake my head.
“Oh damn. I’d hate to be the vampire who did that then.”
“Yeah.” I cross my arms and look back at the table. The wolves are speaking in low voices, but the energy in the room has changed and is slightly less threatening. Larkin looks up and meets Delphi’s eyes. An unspoken message is said between them and Delphi waves her hand in a gesture for me to follow her back in.
“Hey, y’all,” she starts. “Wren explained that the demons possessing people are basically lemmings who are working for a more powerful demon.”
“There have been monsters in the woods since the beginning of time,” the older male werewolf says. He has a very sensible energy coming off of him. “I’ve seen things when I was a pup and used to go camping with my gramps.”
“You’re right.” I don’t see a reason to dispute what he’s saying. “This area especially kept us busy as hunters.”
“And this demon, you’re sure you can fight it?”
“Yes,” I say, even though I don’t know what kind of demon I’m going to go up against. I don’t have a choice. “One way or another.”
“And how the hell do you suppose you’ll do that?”
Larkin holds up her hand and tips her head. “We’ve gone company.” Her eyes flash a golden yellow. “The vampires are here.”
Chapter
Twenty
As soon as Larkin’s hand goes back down into her lap, everyone springs up. Some of the werewolves growl and the energy coming off of them is unlike anything I’ve felt before. In nature, wolves have no natural enemies because of the way they are able to work together to take down a target.
I’m guessing the same can be said about werewolves.
A pack is only as strong as its members, and a pack this size is a force to be reckoned with. Vampires tend to be solitary. They’re possessive and protective of what they’ve claimed as their own, even amongst their own kind. Xavier and his family are not the norm, and judging by the way everyone except Delphi are ready to go on the attack, I don’t think the others have fully accepted it.
Delphi was right. If they don’t believe me and they go after Xavier, this entire pack could be wiped out.
“I will talk to them,” I say, putting myself between the pack and the front door. This is Delphi’s house, and I have no idea if she’s ever invited them in before. Knowing I’m probably going to get an earful from Xavier as well as Theo, I grit my teeth and walk toward the door.
“So will I.” Larkin joins me, reaching for the door handle.
“Crown Alpha,” one of the wolves starts. “Allow me instead. The vampires could have nefarious intentions.”
“If Xavier is as innocent as she claims in all this, he will have no problem talking like professionals.” Her voice is slightly louder than before, probably to make sure Xavier can hear her through the closed doors and windows. “The rest of you, stay in the house. And you,” she says softly to Delphi, who responds with a nod and turns her head down. Right. If Delphi is held spellbound, she can invite the whole family in.
Larkin opens the door right as Xavier is going to ring the doorbell.
“Ah, such service,” he chides and flashes a smile. “Good evening, Crown Alpha.”
“Xavier,” she says in return.
“Hi,” I say informally and flash an awkward smile. “Don’t be mad,” I whisper and see his G-Wagon in the driveway. Devon is in the passenger seat, which surprises me. Both he and Xavier were home when I left, and I didn’t think Xavier would take him on business ventures with him…which means he doesn’t trust Devon to be alone.
Great. He better not fucking lose control here. That’s the last thing we need and the little bit of progress I made will be destroyed. Zeke, Mabel and Theo are at the bottom of the driveway, and I can see Theo’s fangs drawn even from here.
“Your wife elaborated on what we started to discuss yesterday,” Larkin tells Xavier. “She’s presented a quite compelling theory.” Crossing her arms, she slowly inhales as she continues to stare down Xavier. “What do you think about it?”
She’s good, I’ll give her that. By not telling Xavier what I talked about, she’s testing to see if our stories will line up.