Peva looked thoughtful. “It depends on the pack. We’re friendly with some. They’ve actually called us to request an enforcer help them if they have human or Vampire trouble. Some just fear us and want to avoid our kind at all costs. They worry we’ll take over their packs. It would be easy for one of our men to kill their alphas in a fight. They admire strength but they want full-blooded Lycans to lead them, not mixed breeds. They know our history.”
“What about it? I don’t understand.”
“The one time Vampires and Lycans aligned together, they created VampLycans. Most of those Lycan women who gave birth to our kind were mentally controlled and tricked into conceiving by Vampires. We inherited that ability. Some are afraid history would be repeated. It’s why Lycans hate Vampires and they don’t get along. They fight sometimes over territories and we step in when we’re asked to try to keep the peace.”
“How do you do that?”
“One of our enforcers will order that nest to leave the area. If they refuse, it’s the last thing they do. We can’t compel them to leave by messing with their minds. That’s an ability we get from them. They’re immune.”
“What kind of human problems do packs have? I’m curious,” Dusti admitted.
Peva’s smile returned. “They’re shifters. It gets annoying when poachers invade their territory and start shooting at them in wolf form. Some have died that way. An enforcer can hunt the humans down and have a little mind chat with them.”
“Mind chat?”
“You know; tell them they no longer want to hunt in that area and suggest there’s nothing to shoot. They go into their minds and place commands.”
“Can one VampLycan mind-control another?”
She hesitated. “They’d have to be pretty weak for it to work. You’ve got a lot of human blood. Are you worried someone might mess with you? It’s possible but Drantos would hand them their asses big time if they did. He’s feeding you his blood. That will make you stronger.”
“He froze me.”
Peva arched her eyebrows.
“You know, his eyes got all glowy and I couldn’t move.”
“Were you able to think?”
“Yes.”
She nodded. “That’s good. It’s very rare for a human to be immune but you aren’t a full-blood. If you had been, you wouldn’t be aware of anything he’d done unless he ordered you to remember. You wouldn’t have been able to think unless he allowed it. You would have effectively gone to sleep and woken up with whatever suggestions or commands he’d put there, believing them one hundred percent.”
“I’m back.” Drantos took a seat next to Dusti and leaned in, kissing her cheek.
“How goes it with everyone? Are they accepting your mate?” Peva lowered her voice. “Or do I have to take a stroll around to do a little public relations?”
Drantos chuckled. “They want to make her our ambassador for humans we can’t mind wipe. She can handle any of them who become a problem.”
Dusti grinned. “Awesome. I have a place in the clan. I’ll become the official bullshitter.”
Drantos gripped her hand, pleased. “It’s going to work out, Dusti.”
“I have faith since I have you.”
He picked up some of her thoughts. The bond between them strengthened every hour that passed. She’d eventually learn to mute them enough to stop broadcasting but for the moment, he knew she worried about her sister.
He pressed his mouth closer to her ear. “She’s going to be okay. Kraven won’t allow anyone or anything to hurt her.”
I just wish they were here with us.
They will be as soon as it’s safe.
Bat’s not going to take any of this well. What if she tries to run away from your brother? She’ll believe he’s as nuts as I thought you were.
Drantos frowned. He’ll track her down if she gets away from him. I have faith that he’ll find a way to prevent that from happening a second time if there’s a first. He’s a good fighter, Dusti. He’s smart. He knows how to avoid detection.
Bat doesn’t. She’s loud and draws attention.
Drantos chuckled.
“What are you two thinking to each other?” Peva let her presence be known. “You both suddenly look so grim.”
“She’s worried about her sister.” He kept his gaze on Dusti as he answered. “I’m assuring her that Kraven will keep her safe.”
“He’s right, Dusti. Kraven is what you would consider one tough hombre. He’ll protect her.”
Drantos nodded. “You’ll see her soon.”
“Food is ready,” Maku yelled.
“I’m so hungry!” Peva rushed to her mate.
Drantos got up and pulled Dusti to her feet. “Have some fun. You saved a life today. I’m really proud of you.”
“Thank you.”
“It will be fine.”
“I hope so.”
He led her to the banquet setup and they filled their plates. His thoughts drifted to their siblings too. He wished he knew his brother’s plan. It was possible that Kraven had Bat hidden somewhere in VampLycan territory, maybe even his den. Drantos silently promised to check it out later after he took Dusti home.
Otherwise, Kraven would have likely taken her far from the area. There were a lot of remote areas in Alaska that two people could get lost in.
“I’m about to eat elk. My life has drastically changed.”
He smiled at Dusti. She was adjusting to her new life surprisingly well. He was so proud and grateful that he’d found his mate.
Chapter Eighteen
The door shook from the force of someone pounding on the solid wood. Dusti rushed to it and paused. “Who is it?”
“Crayla.”
She twisted the lock and opened it, wincing over her mother-in-law’s snarled tone. The taller woman looked as angry as she’d sounded when she got her first glimpse of her standing on the porch. Drantos had turned on the exterior lights so there was no missing the death glare directed her way.
“Lesson number one: We don’t lock our doors.” Crayla entered without being asked.
Dusti jumped aside so she wasn’t pushed. “Well, Drantos locked it when he went on patrol.” She closed the door, watching the VampLycan take a seat on the couch. She paused but then followed, choosing the chair opposite her.
“You’re already changing my son. This isn’t good.”
“It might have had something to do with the fact that your husband walked in on us when we were making out. What’s wrong with knocking before just letting yourself in? Doesn’t common courtesy exist here?”
“Friends knock and wait for admittance but not close family members. We welcome our mates’ parents and siblings into our homes as though they are our own. We don’t have crime here the way you have in your world. VampLycans are not thieves. We have honor. Stealing is beneath us.”
“That’s good to know but nobody wants someone walking in when they’re about to have sex.”
“It’s part of nature.”
“It’s rude.”
Crayla studied her. “I see. It’s a human thing. Are you ashamed of your body without clothing?”
“I wouldn’t say that. Do I want anyone to see me naked besides Drantos? No. Do I want someone to catch me having sex? That would be a hell no.”
Some of the other woman’s temper seemed to die down. “You don’t shift. You didn’t spend a lifetime learning that being naked is acceptable around others. Clothing isn’t always available if we’ve shifted and return to skin.”
“I figured that it wasn’t a big deal to your kind when Yonda strutted around naked in the woods.”
“Had she just shifted?”
“Yes.”
“We put on something when possible but no one views it as a sexual act to be naked in those circumstances.”
“Okay.”
Crayla hesitated. “You live in our world now. You need to change your way of thinking. It’s an insult to lock your doors to family members. Vel
der would have turned his back if he’d caught you and our son having sex. It’s not as if he’d have watched. That would be rude.”
“And so wrong,” Dusti added.
Crayla grinned. “I like your humor. And you’re standing up to me. That’s brave.” Her smile faded. “It’s an internal family matter. I guess we can compromise. You are allowed to lock your doors. We will knock first if it makes you feel more at ease.”
“Thanks.” Dusti managed to avoid rolling her eyes. She’d have done it anyway.
“You must have a lot of questions as you learn more about us. Ask.”
“Mainly, I just want to figure out a way to fit in so things are easier on Drantos. I don’t want anyone to give him any crap.”
“You do love him.”
“I’m giving up everything I know to be with him. That would be a yes.”
Crayla’s features softened. “This must be a bit difficult for you. Your mother never told you what she was?”
“No.”
“What was her name? I tried not to know much about Decker’s clan and he kept his daughter close to home. He’d make her stay inside when anyone from another clan visited his. He probably feared they would target her to get back at him…and then she left while still so young.”
“Her name was Ann.”
Crayla’s eyebrows arched. “I don’t think so. That’s not a VampLycan name.”
“That’s what she went by but her full name was Antina.”
“Ah. It makes sense. She would have wanted to fit in with humans. I’m surprised she gave her daughters VampLycan names.”
“She did?”
“Have you ever met other human children with names like yours?”
“No. Not really. I just thought she did it to be cute. She was an A. Batina is my older sister. Our father was Christopher. I got named Dustina. A. B. C. D. My mother joked about it.”
“Some women like to name their daughters after them. She gave both of you part of her name. She must have loved you greatly.”
“She was a terrific mom.”
“You’re sure your mother is dead?”
It felt like a slap. “Of course I am. Do you think she faked her death and abandoned us? She’d never do that. She and my father were killed in a car accident.”
“We heal fast. It would be tough to die the way some humans do.”
“They got nailed by a semi. It cut the car in half. They both had closed casket burials.”
“I’m sorry.”
The sympathy she heard in her tone helped soothe some of Dusti’s anger. “Thank you.”
“VampLycans can die if the injures are severe enough. Beheadings, crush injuries, or massive falls will kill us every time.”
Dusti had a mental flashback of seeing Aveoth kill the jerk who’d kidnapped her. She pushed that memory away. It still made her feel a little sick over watching his head roll away from his body. “Why are you telling me that?”
“You keep glancing at the door. I assumed you were worried about my son on patrol. You shouldn’t be. We’re very sturdy.”
Dusti wasn’t aware she’d been doing that. “It’s not locked. I half expect someone to just walk in.”
“Kraven is gone and Velder is at a meeting with a few of the other clan leaders. Those are the only ones who would, besides your mate or me.”
“Not quite.” Dusti stood and bolted the door. She sat back down.
“Why did you do that?”
“Decker could send men after me.”
“He’d never make it this far into our territory without being captured. We increased the number of our men on patrol for that reason.”
“I’d rather be safe than sorry.”
“You don’t like Decker?”
“That would be an understatement. I only met him a few times in my life and it was never pleasant. We moved when he found us. He didn’t like me and it was mutual. I only agreed to come to Alaska with my sister because I thought he was a pervert, and I didn’t want her to have to face that possible truth without me being there. Bat wouldn’t trust a stranger as far as she could throw them but she has a blind spot where family is concerned. I knew it would upset her, so I wanted to be there for her if I was right.”
“A pervert?”
“He showed an unnatural interest in my sister, and my mom ran away from home to get away from him… Do I need to spell it out?”
“Ah.” Crayla leaned back. “You didn’t know he’d use them to form an alliance with the GarLycan leader. Do VampLycans frighten you?”
“I’m not stupid. Of course you do. You can shift into another form. I don’t.”
“There would be no honor in attacking you since you’re so much weaker. And your mate would seek vengeance if anyone did. Everyone fears my family. You’re safe, Dusti.”
That didn’t really put her more at ease. “Thanks.”
“We just need to get the clan to accept you. It helped today when you dealt with the human in town. Everyone is talking about it. At first they assumed you were weaker than previously thought because you seemed upset about having to take a life, but you handled the problem well. That made them respect you.”
“Everyone should be upset when it comes to taking a life.”
“Will you mourn if we have to kill Decker?”
“Except him,” Dusti amended. “I’m not a fan. I think I made that pretty clear. I don’t care what happens to him.”
Crayla regarded her. “I’m still concerned. You’re mated to my son. We’re enemies of Decker. Do you feel split loyalties between your mate and your family?”
“Bat is my family. You are my family since you’re Drantos’s mother. Kraven, Velder, and this clan are now family because they are to Drantos, too. I don’t see Decker as family. Blood means nothing when it comes to him. Is that clear enough? I’m not going to shed a tear if he dies. He wants to hurt my sister. Being given to that scary Aveoth guy I met would be a death sentence for her. I love Bat but she’s a nightmare to men. He’d kill her.”
Crayla leaned closer. “That displeases me since Kraven told us Batina is his mate.”
Dusti thought about it, remembering the interaction she’d seen between the two. “Kraven handles her better than anyone I’ve ever seen. She’s attracted to him and he doesn’t take her shit.”
“Is she like you?”
Dusti grinned. “No. I’m the mellow, easygoing one.”
Crayla nodded. “I understand. I have a sister and we are nothing alike. We barely see each other and I’m glad. I was grateful to leave my clan to come to this one. We fought often.”
“I love Bat. We get along great but we’re just different.”
“She’s the stronger of you two.”
Crayla’s words rubbed Dusti the wrong way, as if it were an insult. “Bat deals with lowlifes all the time with her job. She’s abrasive. That’s a kind way to put it. She makes it difficult to allow anyone to get close to her by being a shit-starter. I’m the calmer one, a mediator type who tries to avoid trouble. We even each other out. She blows things out of proportion and I smooth things over. Does that make sense?”
“You work well together as a team.”
“Yes.”
“I wanted to meet her but Kraven took her away before I could.”
“That’s probably a good thing.”
“Why?”
“You know how you threatened to punch me out when you were giving me the lecture about how I needed to tend to Drantos when he was hurt? I backed down. I don’t want to make waves with you because you’re Drantos’s mother. It’s important that we get along and I’m also willing to admit you’d kick my ass in a fight. But Bat has a temper. She’d have told you off and probably gone for your throat, regardless of knowing she couldn’t win. She’d regret it later but she’s…impulsive. She wouldn’t like you telling her how to act with a man she’s with.”
Crayla sighed. “She doesn’t sound like the mate I had in mind for Kraven.”
&
nbsp; “Life rarely turns out the way you think it will. I bet she’s in for a shock when Kraven tells her he’s her mate. I know I was thrown when Drantos told me. We deal.”
Her mother-in-mate nodded. “True. It would be boring if there weren’t surprises, wouldn’t it?”
“Exactly.”
“What did you do in the human world? Let’s start there.”
“I worked in an office as a secretary.”
“That implies you have useful skills. It’s why you’re good with speaking to humans.”
Dusti shrugged.
“And your sister? What does she do in the human world?”
“She’s a criminal defense attorney.”
Crayla’s eyebrows shot up.
“She’s really good at what she does. I know what you’re probably thinking. Why does she try to keep bad guys out of jail? I can relate but Bat believes everyone is innocent until proven guilty. She’s assured me many a time that not all of her clients actually committed the crimes they’ve been accused of. She’s saved some innocent people from going to prison.”
“That’s not what entered my mind. She knows human laws. We have to hire outsiders if there are any issues that arise that deal with human authorities. Your sister will be useful to our clan. That’s a good thing.”
“Do many VampLycans get arrested?”
“No. Of course not. They would wipe the memories of the humans they dealt with to avoid it. Our legal issues arise with land dealings. We buy up territory surrounding ours to expand as our numbers rise.”
“Bat doesn’t do that kind of law.”
“An attorney is an attorney.”
Dusti decided to let that go. She didn’t want to be the one to explain that wasn’t true. Bat could burst Crayla’s bubble.
“I was told your sister has more Lycan blood than Vampire. Does she have any abilities?”
“No.”
“Are you certain?”
“Definitely. She can’t shift. I’ve seen her pissed plenty of times. The only sharp pointy things she attacks with are her high heels. She can tear those off her feet in a heartbeat and nail someone with them.”
“You said she has a temper.”