However, most of the pack members had their own homes. It was the natural way of things. The wolf side wanted to be near the pack, and the human side wanted some privacy after a long day of pack life. So, we stuck close to each other, just not too close. Pack lands stretched for miles and miles. We owned over three hundred acres in these mountains, and we were spread across all of it.
As we neared the pack house, I could hear the sounds of jovial laughter from the dining hall. The oak table could sit quite a few people, but on busy nights, pack members spread out across the house.
As we walked in, a few of the younger males looked up at us both, full bowls of chili in their hands. Their eyes twinkled as we moved past them quickly. Unmated males over seventeen were often very, very stupid.
“Is that chili I smell?” Tara beamed as we sidled into the kitchen.
The pack chef, Matias, stood stirring the massive pot. It smelled so good my mouth started to water.
“Extra meat,” Matias winked at us.
I could’ve kissed him as he ladled us bowls and sent us on our way.
We walked through the house, heading to the loud dining room. It wasn’t my style to eat with the pack most nights. I preferred to be alone or surrounded by my small circle of friends. But the pack was family, and after a trip away, it felt nice to be amongst them.
I was prepared to sit at the table and suck down my bowl of chili in one go, but as we walked into the room, a scent caught my attention, musky, but clean like men’s soap. I found him immediately where he sat at the end of the table, surrounded by females.
7
Aella
Every muscle in my body tensed. He was freshly showered. His hair still looked damp, actually. And he finally had on some clothes that fit him, a pair of black jeans and boots, with a navy sweatshirt that made the blue of his eyes pop.
He ate quietly, avoiding eye contact with the females on either side of him. I knew them all well. Beth, Faye, Yolanda, and Amber were practically drooling. They were nice girls, I reminded myself, and I couldn’t exactly blame them. I wasn’t sure how someone could look like an underwear model while completely covered in clothes, but Wilder did.
“Aella, hello? Do you want to sit here or not?” Tara waved her hand in front of my face.
Shit. I wasn’t sure how long she’d been trying to get my attention, or how I’d gotten sucked into staring at the rogue. I hoped to God no one noticed.
“Er, let’s go out back.”
At the sound of my voice, Wilder’s head shot up. I looked away from him quickly.
Tara frowned. “It’s freezing out there. The food will get cold.”
Oh. Right.
I shrugged. “This is fine then.”
We sat toward the middle of the table, and I tried my hardest to keep a pleasant look on my face as pack members surrounded us, some touching my shoulder in acknowledgement, others outright asking how the mission had gone as they shot glances toward Wilder. It was clear that everyone was curious about him. But I had nothing to say on the matter. I’d let my mother do the explaining there.
Batting the questions away was exhausting, but I considered myself a pro at deflection. Instead, I turned the conversation around, asking how everyone was doing, were they ready for winter, would we have enough food in stock for the harsh snow to come. Eventually, everyone caught the gist. I wasn’t going to talk about the rogue in the room. As far as they knew, I was indifferent about him. And that’s what I wanted.
When I reached the bottom of my bowl and the pack house trickled down to a few lingering members, the chair directly across from mine was pulled out and a large body sat in it.
I looked up into Wilder’s eyes and his stare was both confused and... guttural. “I was... worried about you. I wasn’t sure if you left.”
My heart dropped to my stomach like an anchor rushing to the bottom of the sea. I was faintly aware of Tara watching us both.
“Not yet.”
That hard jaw clenched. “And I don’t expect I’ll know when you do.”
Anger sizzled in my veins. Apparently, it was time to set him straight. I placed my hands on the table in front of me, palms down, feeling the fine grains of the oak against my callouses.
“Look, I get that I found you and brought you back here, but let’s get one thing straight. I’m not your babysitter and you certainly aren’t mine. Where I go and when is none of your business. You aren’t my handler. I don’t even know you. So, stop looking at me like a lost puppy every time we’re in the same room.”
A breath whooshed from Tara’s lips. The little eavesdropper. But Wilder just stared at me, unmoving as a statue before he finally crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair.
I tried to ignore the way his biceps bulged underneath his sweatshirt.
“You’re right. You don’t answer to me or me to you. We’re crystal there. But it won’t stop me from being curious, and it most definitely won’t stop me from following when you leave.”
I arched an eyebrow at him. “Did you just admit to being a stalker?”
That one got him. He growled, his lip curling slightly as he leaned his palms against the table, mirroring my stance.
“Look, I don’t know what this is. Any of it. I’m new to this thing. But there’s something about you that’s...” he growled at himself. “I just have to know you’re safe. I have to know you.”
My heart thundered in my chest, but I steeled myself against his words and the urge to reach across the table and touch him. I was a big girl. I could take care of myself just fine. I opened my mouth to tell him just that, but Tara cut me off.
“Listen handsome, Aella isn’t just some wolf. She’s the alphas daughter, heir to the Haven Pack, and the best huntress this side of the Atlantic Ocean. She can cover her own ass.” She shot him a dazzling smile. “And as for what you’re dealing with, feel free to ask me any questions. Anyone who treats my girl right is fine by me, and if you’re really that worried about her, you’re good in my book.”
I was going to wring her neck. She’d pretty much declared her friendship to the rogue. We didn’t know this guy! How could she be so traitorous?
“Thank you,” he sounded sincere. “I could use all the help I can get. I can’t seem to... control it. Any of it.” His eyes swung back to me deliberately.
Tara frowned. “Your wolf keeps taking over?”
“Yeah, if I feel much of anything, fear, anger, confusion, I just... change.”
“You seem to be fine right now. If you want, I can show you some breathing exercises that helped me after my first shift. Just remember, the wolf isn’t a monster inside you, it is you.”
Wilder rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well the next time it rips me apart I’ll try to remember that.”
There was bitterness in his voice. And maybe I should be more understanding about it. I was born a lycan. I’d shifted at puberty just like everyone else in this pack. It was natural for me, something I was always prepared for. But this man, he had been human. The wolf inside must really seem like a monster to him.
“You should practice,” I said, surprising them both. “Practice shifting and changing back. Over and over. Eventually, you’ll gain control of it.”
His blue eyes danced, drawing me in. “I could use some guidance.”
I tensed up, but Tara wrapped her arm around my shoulder and smiled. “Tomorrow morning, seven sharp. Bring Seraphim along if you can drag his lazy ass out of bed.”
A low growl rumbled in my throat, but I kept my mouth shut. If Tara wanted to teach him, fine. I would go and watch. But that was it.
8
Ryn
No matter how long I was a part of this world, I didn’t think I’d ever get used to it. The underground tunnels I found myself in were massive, big enough to fit train cars through.
Graffiti lined nearly every surface of every wall. And the air was musty, the occasional cool breeze sweeping through to lift the ends of my hair. I wasn’
t sure where it was coming from, but that was the least of my worries.
“We’re going down there?” I gulped.
Up ahead, the tunnels seemed to go on forever, graffiti fading into the endless blackness. This looked like a great place for homeless camps or the type of criminal activity I didn’t want to find myself a part of.
Needless to say, I was getting some serious horror movie vibes.
Luke’s eyes were sharp, focused on that darkness as if he could see right through it even at this distance, but he still managed to smile at me. “Scared, honey?”
I scowled at him, harnessing in the intense desire to stick my tongue out at him. Hell yeah, I was scared. I’d had high school relationships last longer than the amount of time I’d been a vampire. I still wasn’t exactly used to all of the things that went bump in the night.
“He couldn’t have met us above ground? Preferably in a crowded shopping mall or something?” I shivered as a chill tingled down my spine.
We were in this situation because Octavius, leader of the Chicago coven, only held meetings in his lair under the city. Talk about fucking spooky...
My head was still spinning with how many territories there were. Each state seemed to be governed by a different coven leader, and each of those leaders were ruled by the clave, aka William and Loraine as things stood. However, it seemed that everyone in the supernatural community knew of Luke’s rightful claim to the throne and that he’d given it away to William when his sire died.
Luke started walking, and I followed at his heels so as not to get lost in the dark. I had the night vision that came with being a vampire, but it only stretched so far.
The further we went, the higher my panic climbed until I caught myself stealing glances over my shoulder every few minutes.
“Your heart is racing,” Luke murmured.
Just the sound of his voice made me jump.
“Sorry,” I hissed.
He reached back and grabbed my hand in his, lacing our fingers together. His touch soothed me. With him by my side, I knew that everything would be okay. Hopefully...
Voices started to rise up ahead, climbing in volume the closer we got. Lights flickered, twinkling like actual fire-lit lanterns hanging from the ceiling. As we drew nearer, I realized that there were fairy lights everywhere too. Finally, my breathing evened out.
Dozens of people moved about the tunnels, chatting and working. Tables covered in goods, sizzling foods, alcohol, and fabrics were everywhere as people bustled about.
It was an underground marketplace. Clearly supernatural’s only. And to my surprise, it was kind of dazzling.
In a distant corner, street-dwellers played their instruments. Violin strings and acoustic guitars. People were dancing nearby, the smell of alcohol and exhilaration high in the air.
“Wow...” I managed.
“Come on,” Luke tugged my hand, leading me down a beaded tunnel entrance.
As soon as we stepped through the beaded curtain, a hand clapped Luke on the shoulder, halting us. Luke’s muscles went taut as he stared eye to eye with the bouncer. Beyond him, the sounds died off and the fairy lights faded away into one small, flickering lantern in the distance.
“What’s your business?” the bouncer asked.
“We’re here to meet with Octavius,” Luke answered.
The man snorted. “Not going to happen.”
I bristled. If this guy didn’t take his oversized mitts off of Luke’s shoulder in the next five seconds, I was going to remove his arm from his body.
“He’s expecting us,” I hissed through my teeth.
His eyes flickered down to me, taking notice for the first time. “And who should I tell him is here?”
His tone implied that he had no intention of telling Octavius anything. His sole purpose was to keep any trespassers away from his master.
“Luke Black,” my mate answered.
The bouncer immediately dropped his hand, taking two steps out of our space. Those round eyes widened as he glanced between the two of us, and then he dipped his chin in reverence.
“My apologies. Right this way.”
Now that was more like it.
We followed him down the darkened path, heading straight toward that light that grew and grew the further we walked. Finally, I spotted the lantern sitting on a large wooden desk, surrounded by books. This entire section of the tunnel was like a library. Bookcases were stacked everywhere, overflowing with scrolls. Some of them had pages so yellowed with age, they had to be near deterioration. How Octavius had even gotten them down here in one piece was a mystery to me.
And speaking of... There was the man himself, high on a ladder, plucking a passage from its shelf.
Octavius was nothing like I expected. For a vampire lord, he looked incredibly youthful. His medium-brown skin was without line or blemish. His black hair was styled to perfection, and those thick eyebrows of his soared in surprise at our arrival, as if he’d forgotten he’d spoken to Luke on the phone just days ago to arrange this meeting.
I could tell that he was eccentric by the high-waisted trousers, white waistcoat, and navy tailcoat ensemble he sported. The only thing modern about him were the round, clear framed glasses that sat on the end of his pert nose. Otherwise, he looked as if he’d just stepped out of the early nineteenth century.
“Ah! My guests!” He pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose, which I found funny. Vampires had exceptional vision. Those glasses were clearly just for fashions-sake.
I watched as Octavius slid down the ladder and approached the opposite side of his desk, motioning for Luke and me to take seats in the highbacked chairs across from him.
I stirred in the uncomfortable seat uneasily as the Lord of Chicago leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table. He studied us as if we were some ancient relics behind museum glass, his eyes memorizing every detail no doubt.
No one spoke until he was done.
“Luke Black, I must say, it is an honor,” he said as he finally sat back in his chair. “Madam, please forgive my informality. I would kiss your hand, but I would rather keep my head.”
He chuckled to himself, and I couldn’t help the twitch of my lips. Smart. I doubt Luke would have ripped the guy’s head off, but it did save us all a lot of unnecessary tension.
“What can I do for you both? I must say that I was surprised to receive your call, and even more so when I noticed the urgency with which you spoke.”
It was apparent that Octavius wasn’t originally from Chicago. He spoke with a proper English accent, and the formality of his voice was rather soothing.
“We’ve come to form an alliance,” Luke didn’t waste any time.
Octavius nodded, seeming completely unsurprised. That unsettled me. It was as if he knew we would come. As if he’d been waiting all along.
“You’re going to fight William for your crown.”
Luke tensed beside me, every muscle going rigid. He was a snake all coiled up, ready to pounce at the drop of a hat. There was only one way Octavius could know that information.
He shot up his hand, a proverbial white flag. “It isn’t what you’re thinking. William and Loraine haven’t made their way to me yet. But rumors are spreading throughout the market. More and more supernatural’s are talking about William’s iron hand. He’s gaining support throughout the covens, and fast.”
But this marketplace, this tunnel system that he dwelled in and called home, it was filled with more than just vampires. It was a common place for all supernaturals. Even the lycans. Neutral ground.
“Then you know what we’re up against, and why we’re willing to fight him. Will you help us?” I pleaded. I wasn’t above begging at this point. This was about more than pride. More than a throne and a title. I could give a rat’s ass about any of that. But the idea of lycans or anyone else suffering the torture being inflicted by the clave was wrong. I would do whatever was necessary to stop it.
There was a long, drawn-out sile
nce that yawned between us all. And then Octavius sighed.
“I wish I could. Truly, I do. But I don’t govern this coven the way others lead theirs. We’re a place of peace. I have no armies built up. The supernatural world here is harmonious. We live in synchronicity with each other. William and Loraine’s plots will not be tolerated here, but I’m afraid the idea of war won’t be either.”
My heart deflated. Of all people, I’d hoped... maybe him. Maybe this man who saw the equality and uniqueness in every species. But no. Not even him.
“If William has his way, then the peace you have in this city will be threatened. He’ll pick communities off one by one. Turn species against each other. It’s already begun. You’re willing to risk that?” Luke pressed.
Octavius took his glasses off and sat them down neatly on his desk. The firelight from the lantern cast shadows under his solemn eyes, making him appear suddenly older than I’d originally thought.
“If that time comes, then I can promise you my allegiance only. Not my people’s. They will have to decide for themselves.”
He would fight. If his city was threatened, he would fight along with us. And that was better than nothing.
“When that time comes,” Luke corrected. “I hope that your people will choose wisely.”
Octavius’s eyes gleamed. “Me too.”
9
Aella
They were late. The assholes.
Tara passed me a thermos of coffee, and I sipped at it to fight off the chill. Fresh snow had fallen overnight, blanketing the grounds in a thick layer of white as the sun started to rise. The cold nipped at me through my sparring clothes, turning my nose and cheeks pink.
“It’s too early for this shit,” I grumbled.
Tara snickered. “Don’t be grumpy just because you were up all night thinking about Mr. Dreamy. And while we’re on that subject, why don’t we discuss the chemistry going on between the two of you? That was a lot of passion for one little room.”
Marked By A Rogue: The Rogue Hybrid Book Three Page 4
