“She does.”
Crayla smiled. “That’s a Lycan trait. I can work with that. I love a good fight myself. Both of you will need some training. That might help you bond with the other women if I ask them to assist. You may make friends and they can take you under their wings.”
“Great.” Dusti inwardly winced. She pictured lots of bruises and pain in her future. Her parents had signed her up for karate when she’d been nine. A week later they’d pulled her. She just wasn’t a fighter. “Maku already offered.”
“He did? That’s wonderful.”
“Yeah. It seems like everyone wants to kick my ass. I can’t say I’m as thrilled about that as you seem to be.”
Crayla’s cheerful expression faltered.
“I’m not really into violence. That’s more Bat’s thing.”
“I see.”
“I don’t want to lie to you.”
“You should be honest.”
“Isn’t there a way I can fit in without having to punch someone or getting hit?”
“I’m here to help you figure this out. You’re good at dealing with humans but we don’t have too much interaction with them.”
“That’s too bad.”
“It is. Drantos believes just being his mate will make everyone accept you. I’m sure he’s right but that could take many years. I’d like to hurry that process along. What kinds of other skills do you have?”
“I’m great at movie trivia. I love television shows too.”
Crayla just stared at her.
Dusti sighed. “That was supposed to make you laugh. I can’t fight. I’m not the best cook. I wouldn’t know how to make a quilt to save my life if you have some kind of sewing circle or whatever they’re called. I’m a city girl. I’m so far out of my element here that it’s not funny. I admit it. I’m at a loss.”
“Get pregnant.”
Stunned, Dusti knew her mouth fell open. She recovered fast. “That’s the best advice you have for me?”
“Yes. To birth Drantos’s children would endear you to the clan. They could forgive a lot of your flaws if you happen to have a son first. I know that’s out of your control but we could always hope. They would rejoice a girl too. Have a baby.”
Dusti had no words. She felt insulted.
“It’s what I did when I became Velder’s mate. I was from another clan and my status wasn’t high enough for most to consider me worthy of being with him.”
“Are you part human too?”
“No. It’s just that my father isn’t an enforcer. He is a craftsman.”
“What does that matter?”
“Enforcers are fighters who protect our clan and possess much strength. Craftsmen are of lower ranking. My father helps the clan by building homes and furniture.” She paused. “We all have our own skills. We just need to find yours.”
“I don’t think I’d be good at building stuff either.”
“Take my advice then. I got pregnant right away. They forgot all about where I came from and my father’s standing in our clan once I presented Drantos to this clan. They were grateful that I’d birthed a future leader.”
“Don’t you think that’s kind of…” Dusti failed to find a polite word to describe it.
“Old fashioned? Yes, but it’s effective. You’ll become the mother of a future clan leader. That will earn you instant admiration. Does that insult your human side? It shouldn’t. Women have been breeders for men for all of history. VampLycans are just more honest about it. It’s a respectable way to make yourself a useful part of the clan.”
“By popping out children with Drantos?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.” Dusti shot to her feet. “I forgot to get you something to drink. How rude of me. Let me rectify that.” She fled into the kitchen, remembering where she’d seen the bottles of booze. “I know I need one,” she called out.
Where is Bat when I really need her? Shit. This is worse than I thought it would be. Drantos? Can you hear me? Please come home and save me from your mother.
She closed her eyes and focused but she didn’t hear his voice answering in her head.
Just my luck. Damn it!
“I’ve upset you.” Crayla followed her into the kitchen.
“Good guess,” Dusti muttered.
“I didn’t mean to. Being a mother is very honorable and it has brought me much reward. The clan accepted me on my own merits later. Does that help?”
Dusti poured herself a drink and took a sip. “Yeah. Sure.” She wasn’t going to argue.
“Do you drink often?”
She met her mother-in-law’s narrowed gaze. “Nope, but I think now is a good time to start.”
“You need to toughen up, Dusti. You’re my son’s mate.”
“I’m your son’s mate who wants a drink, and do you know what?” She lifted the glass to her lips again and took a sip. “I’m having one. Accept that.”
Crayla sighed.
* * * * *
Drantos scanned the woods and caught movement to his far left. He eased behind one of the thicker trees and unleashed his claws, waiting. The wind shifted and he inhaled. His tense body relaxed and he stepped out.
“Over here,” he whispered.
His cousin changed direction and approached him silently. They were both on duty. Red stopped next to him. “It’s all quiet.”
“I know. That’s good.”
“Kraven’s plan worked.”
“What exactly was that?”
“To take the other sister out of here and make damn sure they were seen by some of Decker’s people, to lead them away from our village.”
“Where did he take her?”
“All I know is they were heading for Washington State and he planned to keep them moving for a bit.”
Drantos nodded. It was a good plan, as long as they could keep ahead of the enforcers sent after them. He just hoped Aveoth found Decker fast, and swiftly gave him justice. He had a feeling that Decker Filmore would end up like the man he’d sent to steal Dusti. He deserved to die.
“How goes it with your new mate?”
“Our bond snapped into place.”
Red sighed.
“What?”
“She’s so human.”
“Don’t start that shit too. I found my mate. I got enough of that from Dad and a few of the clan. Some of them have been giving me pitied looks but I’m actually glad she’s exactly the way she is.”
“Why?”
He considered his answer. “Life isn’t boring. She amuses the hell out of me and makes me laugh. I’m happy with her. The fear she sometimes feels is the downside but I’m proud of how well she’s taking all this. She knew nothing of our kind before we met.”
“She can’t shift.”
“It’s not a problem.”
“I bet you thought otherwise while you were traveling with her. I hate walking far distances.”
“She rode my back home last night.”
Red chuckled. “Seriously?”
Drantos grinned. “Yes. It didn’t slow me down by much. I just had to be careful she didn’t fall off. I like that she needs me to do more for her than most women. That doesn’t mean she’s timid or helpless. She makes up for her lack of VampLycan traits with her personality. She’s funny, Red. Sweet.”
“She won’t slap you with her claws if you piss her off. I can see where that would be a bonus.”
“Piss many women off, cousin?”
Red shrugged. “Sometimes.”
“I can believe that.”
“Fuck you too.”
Drantos scanned the woods again. “I could use your support with Dusti.”
“You have it.”
“How do you think everyone is handling her being my mate?”
“They are waiting and watchful. It amused some that she dealt with that human by telling them Jarred was a bear with mange. Lake has told everyone exactly what she said.”
“He was the one spotted by the human??
??
“Yeah. Your dad handed him his ass for going that close to the main road and being spotted. He should have known better.”
“What was he doing there anyway?”
“He was coming back after leaving our territory.”
“Why the hell did he leave?”
“Remember old Thomas?”
“Remind me.” Drantos drew a blank.
“He helped with that mess back in the seventies when the town over decided to start some shit with us.”
It came back to Drantos. “He’s the one who warned my dad about the trouble brewing. I used to do the mail runs at that time. Their women would come outside to stare at us. Some of them even drove in to watch us load the truck. Their men didn’t like it one bit.”
“It’s our Lycan traits. They’re naturally drawn to our hormones.”
“I disagree. It’s because we’re in good shape. You should have seen some of those human men. They looked as if they were pregnant.” He shoved his hands out to mimic a large stomach, then ran a hand over his face. “You’d think they were Lycans with the amount of hair on their faces. They didn’t seem to own razors. I understood why the women liked to watch us.”
Red chuckled. “That’s funny.”
“It wasn’t when those assholes entered our territory with guns, trying to shoot a few of us in some stupid attempt to get payback. That’s why Dad forbade us from sleeping with humans from any of the surrounding towns. He didn’t want a bunch of drunk, jealous men coming after any of ours again.”
Red’s amused look faded fast. “I remember.”
“So what does this have to do with Jarred running by the road? Thomas died last year.”
“Word spread that the granddaughter finally came to clean out the house. We’ll buy it when she puts it up for sale since it borders our lands. That’s what she plans to do.”
“I still don’t understand. What does one have to do with the other?”
“She’s the girl who found and hid Jarred in Thomas’s barn after he’d been shot. He’d been out hunting and got too close to someone’s property. The jerks thought Jarred was there to fuck their women or some such shit. You know they hate anyone from Howl. Humans can be stupid and unstable. They were determined to kill him. As if we’ve got nothing better to do than steal their daughters’ virginities or tempt their wives into cheating.” Red snorted. “I’ve never bedded a human. Only a few of ours did back when it was allowed. It sounded too troublesome and it seems I was right.”
“So why did Jarred go there? What was the point?”
“He just wanted to check on her. He’d lost a lot of blood that night and those bastards might have killed him if she hadn’t found him first. Anyway, your dad ordered him to stay away from her from now on. There’s a real concern that seeing him might undo the mind wipe. It’s best if she never remembers that night. She saw too much.”
“Did she recognize him?”
“He swore he didn’t speak to her or let her know he was there.”
“Good.”
Red shifted his body and leaned against the tree. “How is it having a mate?”
“Everything we’ve always heard. Dusti is afraid I’ll be able to read her every thought. I told her she’ll learn to stop broadcasting and can shield them.”
“That’s one thing I dread about mating. I don’t want someone else inside my head.”
“The sex is amazing. You’ll get over it.”
“Really?”
“It will blow your mind.”
“I’m thinking about asking Cavasia to live with me.”
“You said she wasn’t your mate.”
“She isn’t, but I’m lonely. I don’t think I can take another winter like the last one. She’s too far away to visit when the snow sets in and you know I avoid any of our women here.”
“You’re going to settle?” Drantos curled his lip. “Don’t do it.”
“I’m not mating her. We’re thinking about just sharing a home for a while. She’s lonely too.”
“I won’t judge you but it’s going to be hard to find your mate if you’re living with Cavasia.”
“I’ve tested all the women from the other clans who drew my interest. I’m not attracted to anyone here. That means no living generations are right for me. I don’t want to be like Maku. He was alone for over a hundred and twenty-some years before Peva was born. They didn’t even realize what they were to each other until she hit puberty. I don’t want to have to feel the way he did by being attracted to someone so young. It tore him up trying to avoid her so he didn’t feel as if he’d stolen her youth. He still believes he should have waited until she was in her late twenties before they sealed their bond.”
“Peva disagrees. Don’t give up and settle for someone who isn’t your true mate, Red. I understand. I contemplated the same things you must be but then I met Dusti. It was completely unexpected.”
“I bet. Were you horrified at first?”
He hesitated. “Surprised. I worried about how she’d take to me but I wasn’t upset that she’s not what I’d anticipated. I just wanted to get her home to seal the bond. Bottom line, I don’t care what she is, just that she’s mine.”
“I get it. I have a lot to think about.”
“Yes, you do.”
“Perhaps Cavasia and I should put a limit on the number of years we share a home.”
“You mean like promise to live together for ten and then see if any women who’ve come of age are your possible mate?”
Red nodded. “Like that.”
“And what do you plan to tell this mate when you find her?”
“About what? I don’t understand.”
Drantos stared at Red. “It hurt Dusti when I admitted I’d bitten other women during sex to even test a mating. Imagine your mate’s reaction when she finds out you slept next to a woman every night for years and bonded in the ways a couple does when they live together.”
“Damn.” Red sighed.
“I just want you to consider the consequences.”
“I appreciate that.”
“We’re family. We look out for each other.”
“I’m just lonely. Last winter was the worst. I thought I was going crazy after two months of being snowed in. I envy the ones with mates and kids. It didn’t bother me so much before but I’m getting older.”
“I understand.”
“I know you do.”
“Just don’t do anything without putting a lot of thought into it. That’s all I ask. We live a long damn time and regrets stay with us. I’d hate for yours to be to find your mate and have to soothe her pain. Ask my father about that sometime.”
Red nodded. “I remember.”
Movement to the right caught his eye. “Break time is over. You go south. I’ll take north.”
Red inclined his head and they parted to cover more ground. Drantos hoped there weren’t any problems. He just wanted to get home to Dusti. He found the animal that had drifted into his zone. It was harmless.
Chapter Nineteen
Dusti staggered into the bathroom and debated on running a bath. She changed her mind when she had to lean against the wall to stay upright. She carefully made her way through the house into the kitchen, deciding food was in order. She hadn’t meant to drink so much but Crayla’s meeting had encouraged her to have a few too many.
The front door opened and she clenched her teeth. “Oh, you’re back. Fantastic.” She turned.
It wasn’t her new mother-in-law who entered the house. It was Yonda. The woman hesitated inside the open door and stared at her.
“You’re not family so you have no right to walk into this house.”
Yonda scowled. “I’m not in it. I’m standing in the doorway.”
“I’m learning about your tactics.” Dusti pointed at her. “You don’t like me. Get out.”
“I came to ask you to do the right thing by Drantos. I’m not his mate but you shouldn’t be either. He deserves a strong Vamp
Lycan woman.”
“I get it. You hate me and don’t think I’m good enough for him. I heard you the first time. Get out. You’re not welcome here.” Dusti waved her hand dismissively. “Bye.”
Yonda didn’t budge. “I don’t hate you. It’s true that I don’t think you’re blooded enough to be a good mate to Drantos.”
“We’re already mated so you’re too late.”
The other woman paled.
“True mates. I can read his thoughts and he can pick up mine too. It’s a done deal. Now get out. I’ve had a hellish evening already with his mother pointing out all my flaws. She said I need to get pregnant. Like that’s my only redeeming quality. Do you know how insulting that is?”
“I do.”
Dusti was Surprised Yonda agreed.
“It’s never easy coming into a new clan. Crayla has always been very protective of her sons. She threatened to rip out the throat of any VampLycan woman who got pregnant by either them. She worried someone might try to trap them into settling to take a mate if that happened. At least she’ll welcome a baby from you. It means she’s accepted your mating.”
“That’s gruesome. What is it with you people and throats?”
“It’s an effective way to kill.” Yonda took a step inside the house. “I didn’t know you’d already sealed the bond when I came here to speak to you. I take my words back. You’d hurt Drantos more if you left him. As you said, it’s a done deal. You must make the best of it.”
“I’m trying.”
“It will take time but everyone will accept you if you try to fit in and don’t make Drantos tone down who he is to please you.”
“Tone him down?”
“Make him act human. He’s not. You probably have a set idea of how a man should present himself. He’s an enforcer of one of the strongest and most feared VampLycan clans. We hold that position because Velder and his sons are tough on lawbreakers. You might be squeamish over him doing his duties.”
“I watched a guy get his head ripped off by Aveoth. I didn’t puke or faint. I’m pretty proud of that.”
“You met Lord Aveoth?”
“In the graying flesh.”
Yonda’s features became animated. “Tell me everything! Is he as handsome as they say? As fierce? He’s never visited the clan when I was around. We’re not allowed to trespass on GarLycan territory.”