Imprint (Lycan Wars Book 1)

Kata puffed his chest out when he saw Roman exit his car. So, it’s come to this… He took a step beyond the guards flanking his sides. Low growls emanated from both men, but Kata ordered them not to make a move until he gave the signal.

  Roman marched forward surrounded by his own men. Kata recognized both the men at Roman’s sides, but not the young pup behind him. He must be new. Kata regarded the tall, lanky man with sharp eyes. He could be easily taken in a fight, but perhaps that’s why he brought up the rear — he wasn’t necessarily a fighting lycan.

  “Well, if this isn’t a reunion, I don’t know what is,” Kata said with a chuckle when Roman and his men stopped a few feet from Kata. “When was the last time we met, hmm?” He gazed into the night sky in feigned reflection.

  “Don’t waste my time, Kata,” Roman said in a low, threatening tone.

  “Ah, it was the night your brother died, wasn’t it, Roman?” Roman remained silent; his jaw twitched. “That was an unforgettable evening of war and bloodshed…betrayal and backstabbing.”

  “And so you’ve come to take your revenge, is that it?”

  “I’ve come for what was promised to me,” Kata snarled.

  “Really, Kata, you’ll have to remind me because it was so long ago.”

  “Are you experiencing early onset dementia?” The guard to Roman’s right balled his fists at his sides. Kata met his steely gaze. “Barter. I remember you. Thank you for leading your last master down the wrong corridor. It was my pleasure watching him die.”

  “Kata!” Roman shouted. “I don’t have time to reminisce. You can’t have the southern territory. That land is mine.”

  This time Kata balled his fists. “It’s what you promised me! You said we’d rule jointly. If only I’d known you had a penchant for betrayal.”

  “I betrayed my own brother. It should’ve been obvious to you.”

  Kata snarled. “In that we agree.”

  “You attacked my nephew,” Roman charged. “Isn’t your issue with me?”

  Kata shrugged. “I didn’t attack your nephew. He just happened to be in the same place where my men were.”

  “Don’t play games with me, Kata. I’m in no mood.”

  “I’m not in the mood either. So why don’t we get this over with? What do you want? Why have you called me here?”

  “I want you out of my territory.”

  Kata didn’t respond right away. “I’ll gladly leave after I get what I came for.”

  “The territory will never be yours.”

  Kata waved a dismissive hand. “Yes, yes, I should’ve never gone in with you against your brother. I was a fool to have trusted you and I’ve learned my lesson.”

  “Good.”

  Kata didn’t allow Roman’s triumphant expression to unsettle him. He had no qualms about admitting defeat in front of his lieutenants — if he could get his hands on Kira. “I just want the girl.”

  Roman blinked.

  Kata bit the insides of his cheeks to keep from smiling. Didn’t see that one coming, did you, Roman?

  “The girl?”

  “The girl. I get the girl and you won’t see me again.” He held up his right hand in mock salute. “I promise.”

  “What’s she to you?”

  “I’m just trying to reunite her with a family member.”

  Roman’s lips thinned into a knowing smile. “You’ve kidnapped the archeologist. You know Kira’s a seer.”

  Great. Nothing gets past Roman. “That’s not really any of your business, now, is it? It’s my understanding that her father parted ways with your clan a long time ago. You have no reason to protect him or his daughter.”

  Roman’s grin grew wider. “Ah, but I do. You see, my nephew has imprinted on her. That alone means she’s part of our clan.”

  “Oh? Has she accepted Jace as her mate? If not, then she’s free to choose to which clan she’ll belong. And since I have her father…” Kata didn’t need to drive home the point. The spread of understanding in Roman’s gaze made Kata smile. The girl hadn’t chosen Jace. Her loyalty was still first and foremost with her father. “I apologize for not announcing my presence in your territory—”

  “You mean asking permission to cross the border,” Roman corrected him.

  “But I didn’t anticipate the girl being this difficult to acquire. If you would please pass along the message that I have her father and would gladly reunite them if she meets with me.”

  “You don’t need a seer to tell you that waging war on my clan would end in disaster for you.” The guards beside Roman jeered.

  “Cute.”

  “She could be of no use to you.”

  “That’s for me to decide, I believe. What I do know is that until she chooses your nephew as her mate, she can be of no real use to you.”

  “Now I’m not so sure.” Roman stroked the hairs of his goatee. “I think a seer would be quite valuable in my service.”

  “Really? I’m not so sure Kira would agree. I remember ending up with a dagger in my back after joining your service.”

  Roman’s eyes narrowed into slits. “I should’ve aimed for the front.”

  “Unfortunately, we can’t go back in time. Bring me the girl, and this all ends. Simple.”

  Roman was silent for a few moments. Kata dared not breathe. He anticipated pushback from Roman; the man’s sole desire was absolute control. He didn’t yet know Kata’s plans for Kira, and Kata watched as the lycan racked his brain for an answer.

  “I don’t think so,” Roman replied.

  Kata set his jaw. He had foolishly hoped Roman wouldn’t want to sink his teeth into the seer. “Why not?” Kata ground out.

  “Because if she’s important to you, then she might be important to me.”

  Kata tempered his disappointment. He had promised the vamps a seer. They would think he couldn’t deliver, and he couldn’t afford a break in their fragile alliance. If Roman and his clan were to be defeated, then Kata would need more than just his own clan — he’d need vamps. “Then you leave me no choice.”

  “I leave you with the only choice you have and that is to leave…tonight.” Roman turned on his heels and walked briskly to his car. His guards backed away from Kata and his men.

  Kata watched as Roman’s vehicle drove out of the lot.

  “What are you going to do, boss?” a guard asked.

  Kata heaved a sigh. “We’re going to find the girl and get her. We can’t leave without her.”