She remembered. “You only go there on weekends. Why bother? You have such a lovely home, Red.”
“There’s no cell signal at the den and only two other people know where it is. Drantos and Kraven, my cousins, helped me build it. I helped them with theirs too. It’s something we do in our teens. They’d never disturb me there unless it was an emergency. Let’s just say that during the week, things can get hectic when it’s not winter. I often need to decompress.”
“I can understand that.”
“What do you do for a living? Do you work?”
She grimaced. “Not currently. I’m on the run.”
He stepped closer. “Before that.”
“I worked for my grandfather. He’s an online history professor. I mean, seriously, who knows about the past better than him? He’s lived for more than four centuries of it. It sounds a bit lame to work for family, but he’s not the best at learning technology. He’s hired assistants but after the third one he had to fire, I took over.”
“He fed on them?”
She shook her head. “They ended up with huge crushes on him. It’s that whole powerful draw thing he has going on for him. I worked in a consignment shop in our last town, but I didn’t mind giving it up to spend more time with Grandpa. He’s fun to be around.”
“He makes good money being a professor?”
“He doesn’t really need the money. He’s a treasure hoarder. Plus, he always bought properties wherever he lived. Then there’s the antiques he’d sold off when he got rid of homes he owned a couple hundred years ago. The value of the land had also increased a lot in that time. Four-hundred-year-old Vampires tend to have a lot of acquired wealth. At least the smart ones.”
“Why work at all then?”
“Teaching keeps him entertained. It’s hell for me when he’s bored.”
“Why?”
“He tends focus too much on my life and training me.” She grinned. “Never a good thing. When I was thirty-four, I called it The Year of Guns. And for my thirty-sixth birthday, he bought me four kinds of crossbows. Want to guess what I did month after month that year?”
“I’ve never fired one before.”
“Well, if you ever want to learn, I can teach you.”
“I’d like that.”
A cell phone rang, and Red cursed, stalking to the nightstand where it sat charging. He disconnected the cord. “Hello, Drantos.” He paused, listening.
She cocked her head, straining to hear. A faint male voice spoke, but she picked it up easily. “You were spotted heading toward your cabin. Dusti and I would like to invite you to dinner with your guest.”
“I want her back in my den before dark.”
“She’s safe in our territory.”
“I’m not going to chance it.”
Drantos growled. “Dusti wants to meet Edna.”
“It’s Emma. And this isn’t a good time for that.”
“Don’t make me tell Dusti no. Bat wants to meet your guest, too. They’ve never had an opportunity to talk to someone else like them. Both are excited to compare stories.”
“Not tonight. I’m hanging up now.”
“Come on, Red. Don’t be a di—”
Red disconnected the call, plugged in the phone and turned, grinning. “We should return to the den.”
“What was that about?”
“Nothing.” He took her hand. “Let’s see how the sheets are doing.” He almost pushed her toward he door.
“I have good hearing, Red. Why don’t you want to go to dinner?”
He growled low and stepped in front of her. “They might scare you off. Dusti is sweet but Bat can rub people the wrong way.”
“But I’d like to meet other people.”
He scowled.
“You said this is my clan too. That means making friends. And this Dusti and Bat have human blood, right? Their father was human? That’s what you told me. I’m certain I wasn’t followed here, so there should be no danger. Please?”
“We can do lunch another day. This one is almost over.”
“How many VampLycans guard your territory at night? Do you think Vamps could sneak past them?”
“Hell no.”
“Does this Drantos live outside of the territory?”
“No.” The frown deepened.
“Come on. Call him back and say yes.”
“I’m trying to keep you safe.”
“I will be. You’re with me.” She grinned. “Don’t make me play on your pride. You’re one of those alpha types who would hate that. I’ll tease you about being afraid of a few little ol’ Vamps if we don’t go.”
He grumbled. “Fine.”
“How long do you think until dinner? I’ve lost all track of time.”
“We have a few hours.”
“Fantastic! Mind if I raid your books to find a few I’d like to read?”
“You can have anything you wish, Emma.”
She smiled. He could be a sweetheart.
* * * * *
Red watched Emma laugh with Batina and Dusti in Drantos’s kitchen. They’d offered to do the dishes after dinner. He was glad she’d hit it off with both of his cousins’ mates.
Kraven leaned forward on the couch and drew his attention. “I like her. She seems oddly pleasant for being raised by Malachi.”
“Not what I had expected, either,” Drantos murmured. “Father’s stories implied the Vampire was rather intense. He trained the first-generation VampLycans to fight before he left.”
Kraven nodded. “Dad always said Malachi wanted them prepared in case any surviving Vampires tracked them down. Some of those Vamps were old and powerful. He said he taught them how to maim and kill swiftly. I guessed his granddaughter would be highly trained but…perhaps he shielded her instead, since she’s half human?”
“He trained her.” Red still wasn’t happy with the idea of anyone harming Emma, even if he did understand the method and reason. “Mostly with weapons, from what I gathered.”
“It’s for the best that she came to you for protection,” Drantos said. “I can’t see her fighting off Vampires. No offense.”
“She smells completely human,” Kraven agreed. “I’ve seen no hints of VampLycan from her, either.”
“She has our enhanced hearing. Watch what you say.” Red wasn’t about to forget how Emma had overheard what should have been a private conversation with Drantos on his cell. “What did Uncle Velder tell the clan about Malachi coming?”
“He gave a description to everyone, told them he was a friend to our clan, and to politely escort him to the main house. Malachi will be staying with Mom and Dad, which means he must trust him a lot. Otherwise, he wouldn’t let a Vampire near his mate.” Kraven grinned. “As if Mom is helpless.”
Drantos snorted. “To Dad’s way of thinking, she is.”
Red felt relief. “I’m glad Uncle Velder doesn’t expect me to take him in.”
Kraven arched an eyebrow. “Did Emma say something that makes you leery of him?”
“No. According to her, he’s a hero who may as well walk on water. She gets offended when I question his motives about anything.”
“Like?” Kraven leaned closer.
“She admitted he’s bitten her. That pissed me off. She said it was only a few times and under emergency situations, to fool other Vampires into believing she was a blood slave.”
Drantos nodded. “It would be bad if other Vampires discovered Malachi had his partial VampLycan granddaughter under his protection. Imagine what they could do if they’d captured her.”
Red didn’t want to. Nothing good, he was certain. “Let’s go for a walk.”
He stood without waiting for them and headed for the front door. Emma laughed again, looking happy. He stopped outside where they wouldn’t be overheard and faced his cousins.
“What’s wrong?” Kraven invaded his personal space, holding his gaze. “Whatever it is, we’re family. We’ll deal with it together.”
“E
xactly,” Drantos agreed.
Red glanced at both of them. “Emma has been Malachi’s only nest member for nearly forty years…I’m also certain she’s my mate. She’s going to hate me if I have to kill the bastard if he doesn’t take the news well. He might fight me when he realizes I’m keeping her.”
Kraven grinned. “First off, don’t word it that way when you talk to Emma. Women hate it when we discuss them with terms of ownership. Bat’s taught me that.”
“Dusti’s sweeter.” Drantos grinned. “But agreed. Malachi will just have to deal with the loss. I got the impression Dad would welcome his visits anytime he wants. It’s not as though he will be banned from seeing her forever.”
Red sighed. “I still worry that he’ll go for my throat, and Emma will hate me for defending myself. She loves him.”
“She’ll love you more if you’re her mate.” Kraven paused. “You sure about the mate thing? You tested her blood?”
“I didn’t need to. I know. You know it’s always been much more than just blood.”
“Yeah. I was in denial about my instant attraction and protective instincts toward Dusti. Sometimes you just know when you meet the person you want to spend forever with. The blood is only confirmation.”
Red nodded at Drantos. “I’m certain.”
“Have you told her?”
Red met Kraven’s curious stare. “I did. I had hoped she’d want to bond with me right away but she needs time.”
“It’s a big leap of faith for someone who wasn’t raised hoping to find their lifelong mate. Show her how much she means to you.” Kraven grinned. “And how much of a better lover you are than any human she’s known.”
Drantos patted his arm. “It’s going to work out. Seduce her into mating with you. The bond will grow stronger after you complete it. There will be no regrets.”
“Our mates will help talk her into it and be good examples. They’re getting along well. Listen.” Kraven jerked his thumb toward the front door.
Red cocked his head, hearing the women’s continuing laughter from inside. He smiled. “I don’t think Emma’s had many friends, or at least, any she could completely be herself with.”
Chapter Nine
Emma kept replaying in her mind the conversations she’d had with Dusti and Bat. According to them, living with VampLycans was difficult at first, but now they didn’t want to be anywhere else. It was also nice to see that their human traits were as strong as hers, yet they fit into the clan. It gave her hope.
The idea of finding a home, making friends she’d never have to lie to or leave behind because she didn’t age, appealed to her on every level.
Guilt filled her next though, because of her grandpa. He said Alaska held too many sad memories of her grandmother. She doubted he’d want to visit her often.
If he survived, he’d come get Emma, but would want to leave right away. That meant she’d have to make a choice. Stay with Red and her new friends or tell her grandpa she wasn’t going with him. That would leave him alone in the world. Of course, he could finally find a companion. As much as she knew he loved her, he probably wanted a woman in his life who wasn’t a relative.
“What are you thinking about?” Red helped Emma down the ladder that led to his den. “You’ve been quiet on the walk here.”
“I’m great, Red. Thank you for introducing me to those guys. I love your family. They are all nice.”
“That didn’t answer my question.”
They entered the den and he sealed the door, turning on lights. The enclosed space felt tight after being outdoors and inside the roomy cabins she’d visited. “I guess I’m just letting it sink in that I’m not the only half-human and VampLycan.”
“And?” He walked up to her, gently cupping her hips.
“I like Bat and Dusti. I can’t image growing up never knowing their mom was a VampLycan or that other races existed. It sounded so difficult when they realized their mates weren’t human. They shared their stories with me a little. To survive a plane crash, and then learning on top of it that their grandfather was so evil…wow. I’m glad my grandpa is awesome.”
“Decker was an asshole who deserved death. He’s the reason I lost my father.”
Horror and heartbreak surged for him. “I’m so sorry, Red.” She put her hands on his chest. “You don’t have to tell me what happened.”
“It’s all right. You should know. Decker wanted to lead all four clans. My father was attacked and murdered by someone from Decker’s clan, but the assassin left evidence that pointed toward a member of Trayis’s clan. Decker must have assumed my uncle would blindly attack Trayis in retaliation. We think it’s why they chose my father, because he was family to our clan leader. Maybe Decker figured once he got both clan leaders out of the way, he could rule in their place. With three clans combined, he easily would have taken out the fourth. But my uncle isn’t an idiot, and he and Trayis are friends. They figured out the truth together.”
“You said Klackan died during a war.”
“Of a sort. The war in Decker’s mind between the clans. The assassin was captured and killed. He lied for Decker, swearing he acted on his own, but we knew he had been under orders.”
“I’m sorry. I know it hurts losing a parent. What about your mother?”
“She’s alive but…the death of my father changed her. It’s rare for her to leave her home. She doesn’t interact with anyone. Grief and anger have turned her bitter. She may as well have died with my father. I haven’t spoken to her in a long time.”
Emma slid her hands around his waist to give him a hug, holding tight. “That’s got to be rough. Why don’t you two talk?”
“She moved to Crocker’s clan. She wants nothing to do with Uncle Velder’s, Trayis’s, or Decker’s clans.”
“Is Crocker the fourth leader of the VampLycan clans?”
“Yes. Uncle Velder, Trayis, Decker and Crocker are the original leaders. Lorn took over when Decker lost his position, and later, his life. And Lord Aveoth heads the GarLycan clan.”
“Why wouldn’t your mother want anything to do with them?”
“Greif made her crazy at first. She felt betrayed when my uncle didn’t go to war with Trayis’s clan over the loss of her mate. She accused Uncle Velder of not loving his family by refusing to avenge my father. She couldn’t be calmed or reasoned with when he tried to explain he didn’t believe Trayis was responsible. Long story short, she attacked my uncle, and then swore she’d kill Trayis herself. For her own safety, and to keep her from doing something rash, my uncle locked her inside her home with guards. Once the truth about Father’s death finally came out…” He sighed, a look of misery on his face.
“She was embarrassed?”
He snorted and shook his head, holding her gaze. “No. She just hated everyone—including me.”
“Why you?”
“She ordered me to kill Trayis when she couldn’t do it herself. I trusted Uncle Velder’s instincts and didn’t believe that Trayis wasn’t responsible. She said I chose a side, and it wasn’t hers.”
Sympathy welled inside Emma and she hugged him tighter, resting her head against his chest. She wanted to comfort him. His mother sounded like someone better off not a part of his life. Grief aside, what kind of woman could shun her son?
“I’m sorry.”
“She lost her mate and survived, but her mind didn’t. She may breathe, but the mother I knew died with my father.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
“No.”
That made it worse. She knew what it was like being an only child. There had been many times in her life that she’d wished for siblings.
“Drantos and Kraven are like brothers to me. We’ve always been close.”
“That’s good. I’m glad.”
“And there’s Peva. You met her at her store. She’s family as well, just not by blood. Her older brother was very close to us until he died. We avenged Rener’s death.”
“Decker again?”
“No. He went on a mission but died. Vampires. Sometimes Lycan packs contact us if they’re having problems they can’t solve. The original pack split up when they left our lands. Some didn’t travel far, others did. But they all know how to reach us. Vampires were killing humans and putting others under scrutiny. Rener went to take out the nest but they killed him instead. Uncle Velder sent in a team to avenge him. That nest no longer exists.”
“Do you go on missions?”
“I have but not often. I’m busy enough these days with the clan. I don’t need to leave.” He rubbed her back. “I love holding you but I’d like to put the sheets back on the bed and grab a shower. I can still smell the river on me.”
She didn’t want to let him go but dropped her arms from around his waist and backed off. “I’ll make the bed. You shower.”
“Deal.” He turned away, entering the bedroom area.
She took the sheets he’d brought back and went to work. There wasn’t a question that she’d be sharing his bed. Not after he’d gotten her through her heat. The very idea of sleeping apart from him made her feel empty inside.
She bit her lip as sudden yearning hit. The idea of spending her life with him sounded too enticing. They had sexual attraction down pat. It was just outside of bed where there were still some issues. Her gaze drifted around the den and she chuckled. Issue number one would be spending her weekends underground in the confined space he seemed to love so much.
“What’s funny?”
She startled and turned her head, straightening from making the bed. “That had to be the fastest shower ever.” Her gaze took in his bare chest, wet hair, and the towel draped low around his hips. “You are so incredibly sexy.”
“You are too.” His eyes began to glow. He was as turned on as she was.
She bent, tearing off her shoes, her nipples beading at his growled tone. He wanted her. She didn’t need to see his cock pressed against that damp towel, already knowing he’d be hard. “Red?”
“Finish stripping, Emma.” He tore off the towel, throwing it to the floor, and sank down with her.
She reached for him. “Red…”
“I don’t want to talk.” He lifted her, put her on the bed, and tried to kiss her.