by Belle Harper
“Rafferty, the red wolf. So much inner strength. You have overcome so much that you question everything good that comes your way. But know that you are worthy, your packmates are not happy I am even speaking to you. They are very protective of you. They love and care for you just as much as you love and care for them.”
I looked over the Raff, fuck he looked so small. His worried eyes darted to all of us. A troubled look on his face. Fuck man, I reached out and grabbed his forearm. The other two did as well.
“You are part of us, one of us. I didn’t know you worried about this. I am sorry if I don’t open up more. I just... I’m not big on feelings,” I told him, my wolf wanting to jump out and run with him, show him we were equal. Man, my chest hurt, I felt a wave of emotion flood through me.
I gave Galen a smile as I felt my eyes become watery. God, I thought I was messed up and poor Raff has been here with us, hurting the whole time and I had no idea. None of us did.
“Galen, you are older... as old as I am.” My eyes flared, fuck I didn’t think Tobias was that old. Lexi looked shocked. I assumed he was older, because he looked so young that he must age slower. “Ah, maybe a little older than I am. But still. I see you love and care for them all. You are drawn to Lexi, you are worried that it was her blood that calls to you and the wolf shifters. You are correct in that, but her angel side is stronger, that is what calls to you. You would have known that when you first tasted her blood.
“You wonder if she will ever shift... My mother’s blood is not strong enough to do so. Neither is the angel blood that runs through her veins. Which I am glad for.”
Lexi gasped. “You don’t want me to be strong?” He is almost vibrating with anger.
Tobias shook his head, and I watched as he ran his hand through his hair.
“It is not like that, Lexi. My father. Your grandfather... he can sense when I use my powers. He can often at times locate me. I’m not someone who interests him, half wolf shifter that cannot shift isn’t much use for him. So I continue to use my powers. He is not... good.
“He has been searching for my sister for over a decade. She doesn’t use her angel powers in fear he will find her, she is in hiding. She is half angel and half... well, her powers are strong, much stronger than mine. So much so my father wants her. He does not have good intentions. But my sister, she is the reason I am here. Her... warlock. He sent word to me that I needed to get to Kiba as I have a daughter.
“The Bardoul pack reached out and word got to him. I think it would be good for him to come here. Put a protection spell on you or at least hide your scent. The wolf shifters are drawn by the small amount of your grandmothers, true wolf shifter blood that runs through you. Your angel blood might heighten it, and this is why so many believe they are your mates.”
Everyone just stood there watching Tobias. I didn’t have words... Thoughts? I had a few, but I wasn’t wanting to think about it while he was here.
I felt Lexi start to nod from beside me. She was talking to him... through her mind. I was glad, I didn’t know how much more information I could take.
My mind was already blown.
Chapter Eleven
Lexi
My mother was a vampire was taking over all my thoughts. “How could that be?” I asked Tobias. I think the guys knew that we were talking to each other through telepathy. At first I wasn’t sure I wanted to do it with Tobias, it was Galen and my thing. But the fact I could talk back to Tobias made it special. He could hear my thoughts.
“I don’t know, Lexi. That’s what I intend to find out and why I want you to stop giving Galen your blood until I do.”
My mom ate regular food, when we ate that was. I swear she did; she drank a lot; I remember all the empty liquor bottles in the house. I remember the drugs too, well not exactly. I figured that out as I grew up that my parents weren’t sick and needed medicine like they had told me. But they were sick with addictions, and one of those came at the end of a needle. I just thought that was normal. Mom and dad falling asleep on the couch after taking their “medicine,” My dad having his “friends” visit for medicine. And my parents not waking up for hours— sometimes days.
I remember the pain in my stomach that would go away after a day or two without food, and when I ate again, I would feel sick. I remember feeling cold and curling into a ball on the closet floor to keep warm; it was safe in there. Away from the scary friends who visited. I remember those things very clearly; I wish I could forget them, but I couldn’t.
It was a good thing I should remember, but that I just couldn’t. Like the way she smiled, I knew she did, but I couldn’t picture it in my mind anymore. The color of her eyes? Were they brown? I didn’t know anymore. All the bad things I tried to forget, but I only lost the good memories. Mom, she tried for me; I knew she did. But she was a slave to the drugs, alcohol... the man I called dad, he was just the same. He tried, in his own way, like mom. He would take me to the park sometimes. I liked when he took me to the park.
I was numb as I held onto Raff’s warm hand. Was what Tobias said before about Raff true? Does he question everything good?
“I can tell you what he is thinking, but I don’t think it’s right to pry in always. Just know you are the only thing he cares the most for in this world. Trust... he trusts you. And your choice to jump off the cliff. He understands, he doesn’t hold that against you. I know that is something you fear.”
Man, the guy was here a day, and he already knew that much. I press myself into the guys and took a deep breath.
“My mother, please tell me about her.” He is the only other person I knew that I could ask this. I never thought I would find out more about my mom.
Tobias sat up straighter and I sat back on the stool. He gave me a gentle smile. This glow about him happened, and it was interesting to watch. He was growing on me; he wasn’t as bad as I first thought.
“Your mother was strong, one of a kind. Like you, Lexi. She was tough as nails with a wit about her that was always keeping me on my toes. She had this throaty chuckle that started deep in her belly. And she looked so much like you. We dated on and off over a century. I loved your mother. I truly did, but she became addicted to my blood.” He glanced back at Galen. That was why he didn’t want him drinking my blood.
“Addicted? How so?” I asked when he didn’t continue
His eyes glazed over a little, “the last time I saw her, she almost drained me. I told her that I could no longer do this. This was the end... I’m so sorry, Lexi. If I knew about you, I would have been in your life. She was the only vampire I had ever been with, I didn’t know she would become addicted to my blood... That she could have a child.”
I nodded. It was a lot to take in.
“Thank you, for coming here.” For catching me. I couldn’t say it out loud. In front of everyone. Tobias nodded and reached out to me. I took his hand in mine and smiled.
“I would love to be in your life, a part of it. I know you have made family bonds here. And I am grateful for that, I honestly don’t know where to start in being your father. You’re now an adult, but I would love to be part of your life. Even from the sidelines, help you with your powers. You can heal and help others. That’s the angel blood in you. Your powers are not as strong as you are more human than angel. But if you needed to heal a loved one, you have that power to do so.”
Could I do other things? I needed to know, I didn’t want to find out after something bad happened. I felt a tingling through my body and the power in the room changed.
“Healing is your only true power; all others are dull or I don’t sense them.”
I nodded, no surprises at least. Like when I warmed up Galen’s arm.
“Wait, what about the tingling feeling I could do to the guys, it felt like ants were crawling on them.”
Tobias chuckled. “You are very lucky you do not hold that full power. Have you heard of smiting? All angels hold different powers, some stronger than others, depending on their family line
. My father can smite at just a touch, I cannot. But you do not want to use that power on your mates. Even though your power is very weak. That is what you were doing.”
“Smiting?” I was a little confused, but Galen wasn’t. He had become ridged, and I watched his face grow concerned.
“The killing touch,” Galen muttered.
My heart sounded to pound as my stomach fell. I felt my skin prickle at the words, killing touch. I... I could have killed my mates?
“Just breathe, Lexi. It’s okay, nothing happened. Don’t worry yourself on what could have, it wouldn’t have happened.” Maverick stroked my arm, but I just couldn’t breathe. My hands started to shake. I shouldn’t have practiced on them. I shouldn’t have...
“You were right to practice your powers, as I have said, you don’t have full power. I would say it is weaker than mine. But you can heal. Focus on that. That is your strongest power. Think of how much good you can do. You have a huge heart, Lexi. I can see that through everyone around you. They know you didn’t want to cause harm.”
There was a lot of talking around me, I still was struggling with the fact that if I did hold that power, the same as the healing one. I could have killed Ranger when I first tried it. I have no words... I was dizzy and overwhelmed with so much.
My stomach rumbled, Ranger chuckled as he ran over to the fridge and opened it. I watched as his huge grin was plastered on his face, but I looked a little uncomfortable.
“Lunch? Pancakes? Donuts?” he asked me. I raised my brow.
“We have donuts?” I asked, I had never seen donuts around here. He shook his head.
“No, but I can go get some. Right now.” He closed the door and started moving towards the glass doors. I was surprised at how fast he was leaving to get me donuts. Then I watched him as his eyes darted between Tobias and the door.
I realized what he was doing. I tried not to laugh but poor Ranger, I bet he was trying really hard not to think about anything bad. I can’t believe Tobias had said he was thinking about sex. Like that’s not awkward at all.
This was a distraction... and a good one. Because I wasn’t thinking about the killing touch thing. I was thinking about food. And my cute ass boyfriend trying to escape.
“Pancakes sound like a fantastic idea.”
Chapter Twelve
Galen
I was glad when Tobias left, I know it was bad to think like this. Lexi just met her father... who could read our every thought. It was hard being around him and not to think about Lexi... or the guys.
I was currently trying to cook a meal for everyone at my house, but I was worried, not at my terrible cooking skills, which were clearly evident from the smoke pouring from the oven earlier. But Lexi had wanted to watch a movie. The movie room hadn’t been fixed yet. There was broken wood and blood from where some shifters had gotten through. Some of the pack were cleaning it when she had walked in and seen it. She broke down and cried.
It was then we told her about how we had lost some wolves; I knew we had to tell her, and I didn’t want to wait. But Tobias had come in and healed them. The other shifters that she was so worried about on her way back. Her blood did nothing to heal them, unfortunately. It just healed vampires. She was upset with herself, but I told her it was the fact that she had tried that everyone was grateful for. I know I was grateful; I was truly lucky she did. If I didn’t have access to her blood, I would have been one of the names read off the list that morning.
I didn’t tell her that, nor will I ever. I had given a stern look to Rafferty, not to mention it, or how I was a major target to get to Lexi.
“What are you doing to those poor carrots?” I looked to where I was chopping them and back up to Hazel, who had just come up from the basement with Ben. I laughed, it was a mess, I was using my vampire skills to speed it up. But I had decimated these poor carrots. “What did they ever do to you?” I heard Hazel chuckle beside Ben, her arm wrapped around his and she leaned into him.
“You want to just order in?” Ben asked as I started to clean up the little bits of carrot. I sighed. I wanted to make a real meal for everyone. But Ben was right. I should just order in. At least I knew they would like it. It was hard to work out if what I made would even taste nice. Never heard of a chef who couldn’t even taste test his food.
“Yeah, I will grab pizza?” Not sure if Hazel liked it. She nodded as she grabbed water from the refrigerator. I grabbed the menu that Ranger left here last week. What did they like? Reading off the names, I didn’t know most of them. I had seen pepperoni in the high school cafeteria, so that’s why I asked for that before. I knew Lexi loved it.
“I can order if you like?” Hazel held her hand out to the menu. I liked the fact she wasn’t afraid of me, knowing what I was. That she was comfortable here, and that Ben had found the perfect partner in Hazel. I handed it over and nodded.
“It’s probably for the best. Lexi likes pepperoni.” She smiled and nodded as she pulled out her cell and started dialing the number.
I was a little nervous having Lexi and the guys over for dinner to officially meet my long-time friend, and fellow vampire, Benedict. I hoped they liked him, he was a great guy, and he really pulled through with helping us. But I knew he would without question that was the kind of guy he was. Even Hazel who was human and only new to the supernatural world played an important role in helping the injured when they came in.
I heard the front door open and smiled as Lexi walked in without knocking. This was her home as much as it was mine. She was wearing the same outfit as she had been earlier in the day, those shorts... her legs were long... smooth and sexy as hell. She flashed me a grin and winked, as if she read my mind. I knew I didn’t project any thoughts to her; I didn’t drink her blood today. After speaking with Tobias yesterday, I was certain that angel blood healed vampirism. I wasn’t too sure if Lexi’s was strong enough to do that, but I didn’t want to find out... just yet. I hadn’t stopped thinking about it, to be honest. That was something for another day.
Raff was right behind her as he entered the house. He was dressed in a white tee, it looked good on him, his silver hair was in its usual style and those pale blue eyes scanned the room, stopping when they landed on me. He gave me a nod and shook Ben’s hand before he took a seat on the sofa.
The twins were the last through the door, Ranger shoving Maverick out of the way last second so he could walk through the door before him. I rolled my eyes.
“Hazel.” I peered back over to Lexi as she wrapped her arms around her as if they were long-lost friends. I guess they did have that time to get to know each other. I was glad to see Lexi had a new friend. Not that Ada wasn’t a perfectly good friend. It was just good to have more than one... and one that was dating a vampire made me feel better. Knowing that as our relationship deepened she had someone to confide in, if she needed.
“Lexi, I’m so glad you are safe,” cooed the slightly older blonde, I wasn’t sure how old Hazel was, late twenties I would guess. I could see Ben from the corner of my eye, he was opening and closing his fists and I could see he was struggling to keep his fangs in.
“Ben?” I hissed under my breath. I didn’t like this. Was he wanting more of Lexi’s blood? His eye flicked to mine, and he whispered low, that only me and the guys would hear.
“Shifters in a small space are setting me off is all. Nothing to be worried about. I won’t do anything, just give me a moment to control myself.” Ah, shit, I forgot he was much younger than me and not used to being around shifters all the time. Hell, I still struggled, but I just had learnt to deal with it. Not much you can do when the love of your life has three wolf shifters as mates. Plus one of those shifters was also your... well, I wasn’t sure yet. I was attracted to Maverick. I had dated men and women in the past, so this wasn’t new to me. Not like it was to him. I looked over to where Maverick was standing in the room, he had noticed Ben. He was watching him, being a protective mate. Just like Tobias had pointed out earlier.
I wasn’t sure if I should go to him or wait for him to come to me. I really wanted to kiss him again, but I didn’t know how far he was willing to take this. One day at a time, his eyes flashed to mine, I saw the glow in his eyes. His wolf was close. He shook his head and moved further towards Lexi.
I had dreams of Lexi and him. Kissing me... kissing them... biting them. Which was something I couldn’t really do with Maverick. Not that his blood would kill me. But it would make me weak, and that was not something I wanted to happen when we were having a good time. I decided to let it happen on Maverick’s terms and to wait... I had time. We all did.
The Russet pack wasn’t ever coming back, and I compelled many of the other shifters. Tobias was very strong with his telepathy and picked out those who had killed the members from the three packs, and those shifters were eliminated. I realized the room had gone quiet, and I glanced around the room. Lexi gave me a puzzled looked then pointed to the kitchen counter. Oh, yeah. My terrible cooking skills.
“Hazel helped with dinner... she ordered pizza.” I felt a little embarrassed and chuckled. I had told them all I was cooking. The Lovell’s make amazing meals. They were great cooks and were taught from an early age. I had a lot of learning to catch up on before I was even close to their level.
“He murdered the carrots,” Hazel supplied, I could see she was holding back a laugh. I shook my head and ran my hand through my hair. Lexi was laughing at me now. It made me chuckle in return as I shrugged.
