Velder stepped closer. “It is. My sons mated partial humans. My mate believes it’s a family trait our younger generation share.” He grinned.
Grandpa cleared his throat. “Emma, may we speak alone?”
She didn’t budge. “No.”
Grandpa scowled and narrowed his eyes.
“No,” she repeated. “You always said you wanted me to be with someone I love, trust, and who makes me happy. That’s Red. I want your blessing.”
“You have it.”
She blew out the breath she’d been holding.
“I just wanted to make sure you’re aware of VampLycan culture.” He glanced around. “No offense. She’s been raised as human as possible. I wanted her to have a normal life.”
It was her turn to snort. She focused, clearing her mind, and pushed her thoughts toward her grandpa. “Don’t piss off the people who just saved you, old man. I love Red, and he’s worried that you’ll attack him. Please smile and be cool with this. I really do love him.”
Her grandpa cocked his head, staring into her eyes. “I said you have my permission.”
“You look like someone just died. You’re not losing me. You’re gaining a kick-ass grandson-in-law. And we’re both alive. The VampLycans and Red are responsible. Smile, damn it. Act happy.”
Grandpa nodded and smiled. “Better?”
Emma rolled her eyes. “You can be such an ass. Tell Red welcome to the family or something.”
“What in the hell is going on?” Velder, asked.
“We’re having a private chat,” Emma admitted. “Grandpa needed a mental kick in the pants.”
Grandpa’s smile widened. “Welcome to the family, Red. I’m thrilled that you and my grandbaby are mates.” He faced Velder. “Emma was four when she came into my care. She has a unique ability to receive my thoughts and send her own. Her mother could sense her moods in the womb and sometimes catch what she was thinking as a child.”
“I didn’t know that.” Emma was surprised.
“It’s only shown itself with family. Your mother, then me.” Grandpa shrugged. “It might have been a rare human trait your father had, or maybe some fluke thing that happens with VampLycan and human children. It wasn’t as if there were any others like you around to ask.”
“What’s the distance?”
“Not far.” Grandpa answered Velder. “Inside the house, to the front yard. It takes concentration for both of us. We worked on it after I heard some of her stronger thoughts about me.” He chuckled. “‘He’s so mean’ were the first words of hers that I heard inside my head. I had yelled at her after she’d jumped out of a tree. She’d seen me do it but didn’t understand that she could have broken her legs or worse from such a height, if I hadn’t caught her. It took a while for her to learn she can’t do what I can. I had to keep reminding her how fragile she is and to accept her limitations.”
“Here we go.” Emma shook her head.
Grandpa frowned. “What?”
“You’ve made her feel inferior.” Anger tinged Red’s tone. “She’s not. Just different. The sun can’t hurt Emma. You’d fry, Malachi.”
“I apologize.” Grandpa appeared horrified. “That’s not how I meant for you to feel.”
“Let’s deal with family issues later.” Velder jerked his head toward the living room and waiting Vampires. “I’m going to talk to Paula, we’ll take care of Eduardo, and then we’re out of here.”
“What are you going to do with the Vampires from the council?” Emma asked.
“I’m going to make a call to their council, tell them where they can pick up their assassins alive, and warn them to stay the fuck away from my clan members.” He pointed at Malachi. “You included. How do you feel about returning to Alaska? You’re clan. I’m certain you’ll want to stay close to Emma.”
Emma watched his face for a reaction but he was too good at hiding them. His voice, when he spoke, didn’t even give a hint. “Blood would become an issue.”
Velder shook his head. “Sometimes VampLycans are born more Vampire. They get fed. It’s not a problem. The younger ones take a vein from a family member. The older ones get it in bags. The clan is happy to help each other.”
Emma stepped closer. “At least come for a while, until things blow over, Grandpa. You know you’d worry about me otherwise.” She jerked her thumb toward the Vampires. “Give them a cooling-off period.”
He addressed Velder. “I’d be honored.”
“Great.” Velder paused. “I gave Emma my word she could kill Eduardo. Are you okay with that? He was a member of your nest.”
Rage reddened Grandpa’s face. “I’ll kill that little prick myself.”
Emma hadn’t considered that he might want to take out Eduardo. She could feel Red tense beside her. “The kill is yours, Grandpa. He murdered my mom but she was also your daughter. Plus, you’ve spent all this time having to deal with him since he invaded the house.” She couldn’t imagine what it had been like for her grandpa to be stuffed into his own safe. “Vengeance is yours.”
Grandpa reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “Thank you. You don’t have to watch. I plan to make him suffer first.” He glanced at Red. “Perhaps you should take her somewhere else.”
She wanted to groan in frustration, knowing Red would do it.
He surprised her though.
“Emma is strong, and she deserves to witness her mother’s murderer being put to death. I’ll stand with her.”
Hot tears filled her eyes and she blinked them back, smiling up at him.
Red didn’t look happy, but he squeezed her hand. “I know how much this matters to you.”
“It does.”
“Let’s get this over with. The sun will go down in a few hours and we have a jet to catch.” Velder leaned closer to Malachi. “How do you feel about being flown by a GarLycan? It would save time once we set down in Alaska, to get you under cover before the sun rises.”
Grandpa chuckled. “I love new experiences.”
“He’s an adrenaline junkie,” Emma shared with everyone. “You might be sorry you offered. He’ll hound Glacier to take him flying if he loves it.”
“Shush, Grandchild. Don’t spoil my fun.”
Emma rolled her eyes. “Don’t take hours to kill Eduardo but make it painful, please. I need to pack before we go. I’m not leaving my clothes behind.”
They walked in a group toward the Vampires. Eduardo tried to hide behind the Vampires nearest him, as if anyone would forget he was there. Grandpa waded through their bodies, grabbed him by his hair, and dragged him toward the fireplace. None of the council Vamps protested or said a word. They probably feared they’d be next.
“Mal,” Eduardo whimpered. “I’m your child!”
Malachi slammed him against the stone, released his hair, and a chill ran down Emma’s spine as her grandpa released control of his rage in a wave of menace and Vampire power. Once glance and she was certain everyone else felt it too. A few VampLycans lifted their eyebrows but didn’t step back. The Vamps on the floor trembled.
Red pulled her close, putting his arm around her. She curled into his side but didn’t look away.
“You killed my child. I ordered you not to go after Kallie and the others. They were under our protection. You betrayed me, went to another nest, and took my baby from me.”
Emma lowered her gaze when the bleeding started. Her grandpa had always been kind, sweet, and gentle with her. Unless they were training. The way he used his claws to rip open parts of Eduardo made her feel ill. Red didn’t try to pull her away though. He held her tight, staying at her side.
Eduardo’s shrieks and pleas for mercy didn’t end his suffering.
“I sentence you to the death I once saved you from!” her grandfather thundered.
Emma lifted her gaze as Velder offered a sword to Malachi. He used it, severing Eduardo’s head. It hit the floor, rolled, and both parts of him ashed.
It was done. The man from her nightmares would never
get the chance to hurt or hunt her again.
Grandpa found her gaze, holding it.
She knew him well. He was worried that she’d see him differently. “I love you.”
Her grandfather placed the sword on the mantel.
Red eased his hold on her. “Let’s pack your things. We don’t need to see my uncle threaten these bastards again.”
She agreed. Her gaze when to her grandpa.
He must have heard them from across the room. “Go. I’ll be up in a few minutes to pack my stuff. We’re never coming back here. I’m going to burn it to the ground.”
There must be a lot of blood in the house for such an extreme measure. Who knew what the Vampires had done while they’d been there? For all she knew, there were bodies hidden. It was a grim thought. The evidence would need to be destroyed.
* * * * *
Velder watched Red and Emma disappear upstairs and motioned Malachi to walk with him. The Vampire followed him to a corner of the room.
“Thank you for coming.”
Velder smiled. “You knew we would.”
“I hoped. You VampLycans are honorable and treat your friends well.”
“We learned from you.” Velder had missed his old friend. “Are you truly accepting of Red and Emma being mates?”
“Yes. As long as she’s accepted in the clan.”
“You both are considered clan. You’re the one who left us. You weren’t asked to go.”
“I had no choice.”
Velder remembered. “What happened to your children with Vampire traits?”
Sadness filled Malachi’s eyes. “They didn’t like my rules or the way I kept trying to convince them that humans mattered. Youth are often headstrong and arrogant. They fled the city together one night. I’ve not seen them since.”
“I’m sorry, my old friend.” Velder couldn’t imagine his children disappearing from his life.
“It was for the best.”
“I don’t know how you can say that.”
Malachi’s expression hardened, his eyes going cold. “I probably would have had to ash them in time. No father should have to kill his own children. They showed little empathy or compassion toward their mother and sister.” He lowered his voice. “I felt relief when they left. They hunted at night without me because I didn’t feel safe leaving my beloved mate and daughter unprotected against my own children.”
Velder reached out and gripped Malachi’s shoulders, giving them a firm squeeze. “I’m sorry.”
“I am as well.”
“I’m glad you’re returning to Alaska.”
Malachi smiled but sadness returned to his eyes. “I just wish my beloved were still alive.”
Velder gave him another squeeze and released him. “I can’t imagine losing my mate. I’m sorry, friend.”
“I have Emma. That’s more family than most other Vampires have.”
“You have us as well, Malachi.”
Chapter Fifteen
Red carried in both of her suitcases and then went back out on the porch of his cabin to grab their travel bags. Emma waved goodbye to Lake, who’d driven them to the cabin in his off-road vehicle from where the small planes had dropped them off outside of Howl. She was glad to be back in Alaska.
Red and her went inside and he locked the door. “Do you want to go see Malachi?”
“The sun is up. He needs uninterrupted day sleep after being hurt.” She didn’t want to think about what her grandpa had been through. “He agreed to stay here for a few months. We’ll have plenty of time to talk.”
“I’m glad he took us becoming mates so well.”
“I told you so.” She reached up and placed her hands on his chest. “He’s not an evil Vampire.”
“He wasn’t thrilled.”
“We talked a little on the jet while you were using the bathroom. He was just worried about me adjusting to living with VampLycans.”
Red snorted. “Says the Vampire.”
She laughed. “I pointed that out and told him the hardest part to adjust to was how tan all of you are.”
Red smiled. “What was he worried about? Everyone in the clan accepts you.”
“He missed Jarred shifting in the living room. Grandpa wasn’t sure if I’d seen you on four legs. I told him I had. He asked if I was afraid and I told him no, because it was still you. You’d never hurt me.”
“That’s it?”
“Yes. He’s actually relieved we’re mates. He said you’ll treat me better than a human. Of course, then he pointed out he couldn’t control your mind to remember anniversaries and birthdays. I told him to use his mouth and remind you that way.”
“You and your grandfather have a twisted sense of humor.”
“I know, and now we’re yours. What does that say about you?”
“That I really love you. Are you hungry? Tired?”
“I slept on your lap during the flight and ate on the plane. I’m good. Are we returning to the den?”
“There’s no reason to. Uncle Velder set the assassins straight, they’re afraid to come near us or the GarLycans. I took you there to keep you safe. No one is coming after you here.”
She thought about Velder letting the Vampires go before the house was set on fire. She grinned. “That was so funny when Glacier and Tempest were diving from the sky at them while they ran for their lives.”
He chuckled. “I loved it when Pest grabbed the slowest one and flew him by his foot over the rest of them, then dropped him on the one in the lead.”
She cracked up. That had been amusing. “I would never dare shorten his name like that to his face.”
“Me either. Glacier is his brother though.”
She smiled up at him. “Mate me, Red.”
He didn’t hesitate to scoop her into his arms and carry her up the stairs.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “No argument there, huh?”
“Fuck no. I’ve waited long enough.” He didn’t stop until they reached his bedroom. He kicked the door closed behind them and gently put her on the bed. “Get naked.”
She slipped off her shoes, reaching for her shirt next. Red just tore at his clothes, tossing them toward the nearest wall.
“What do I need to do?”
“It will come naturally. Trust your instincts.”
She nodded, sliding off the bed to be rid of her leggings. Red finished undressing first and tore off the covers from the bed, down to the sheets.
She turned, meeting his gaze. “For a while, I never thought we’d be alone.”
He came around the bed and lifted her off her feet, kissing her. She moaned against his mouth and wrapped her legs around his waist. He hoisted her higher and climbed on the bed, gently pinning her under him. She loved the feel of his hot skin pressed against hers. His hands roamed her body, making her burn with need.
He smelled amazing, and she remembered that pheromone thing, wondering if he’d send her into heat again. She embraced it all. This was a part of her life she looked forward to with Red as her mate.
He tore his mouth from hers and began to trail kisses along her throat, sliding down her body. She grabbed his hair, pulling him back up. “I’m so wet. Get in me. I don’t need foreplay.”
His eyes were golden with that amazing glow to them. She didn’t look away.
“I want to taste you. You smell so fucking good.”
Her nipples beaded. “That’s so sexy when you growl at me.”
“It’s sexy as fuck when your thighs are wrapped around me.”
“In me, Red. Now.”
“So fucking demanding.” He dipped his head, latching on to the tip of her breast, and gave it a nip. She jolted under him. It was almost painful, but it felt too good. “Patience, Emma.”
“Fuck that. I’ve wanted you since the night before last, when I had to sleep next to you in that bed and we couldn’t do more than cuddle. There was no privacy on the jet except the bathroom and I didn’t want to piss anyone off by locking us
in there for a while, since there was only one.”
Red lifted up, holding her gaze. “You don’t have fangs. I’ll slice open my skin when the time comes. Drink from me when I bite you.”
She felt a moment of uncertainty but then gazed into his eyes, nodding. “Got it.”
He reached between them, teasing her clit with his finger. She moaned and adjusted her legs around his waist, using his body to wiggle her hips to urge him on.
“Fuck, you’re so ready.”
“Told you.”
He stopped playing with her, grabbed himself, and adjusted until the head of his cock pressed against her. He rubbed the crown through her slit, teasing. She dug her fingernails into his skin, not being careful with them.
“Now,” she demanded. “Please, Red. I ache for you.”
He pressed against her opening, released his shaft, and braced his arms as he thrust forward, entering her deep and fast.
Emma threw her head back and cried out his name. Red snarled then began to move fast and hard. Pleasure built quickly and Emma knew she wouldn’t last long before she came. She was thrilled Red wasn’t human; sex with him felt a thousand times better than anything she’d experienced with her exes.
He buried his face in her throat, ran his tongue across her skin, then twisted his arm on the other side. Looked down, Emma watched his claws slide out of the tips of his fingers. He dragged one sharp tip along the skin just under his shoulder. Blood flowed—and she felt his fangs against her neck.
She wanted to bite him as he fucked her harder, faster. She lifted her head, locking her mouth over the small cut, and his blood hit her tongue. Emma opened her mouth wider and bit around it, sucking and swallowing. Red bit her back, snarling.
That was it. The world exploded inside her mind from how hard she came.
Emma stopped swallowing when his wound started to close, and then Red removed his fangs from her throat. He licked at the bite. Both of them panted hard, and she smiled.
“Wow. I think I saw stars.”
“I’d give you ever damn one of them, baby.”
“That’s so sweet.”
“What is?” Red looked at her. His eyes were utterly black now, and his voice came out super deep.