by Bryce Evans
Wade knew what was going on. He remembered the time he had met his mate. Wade understood how hard Samson worked and knew Samson was very ambitious about becoming the next Leader of the Vampire Council.
“It’s alright, Samson; it’s the mating pull. The Great Protector, Adrianna, is your mate. Congratulations, my friend.”
Samson just looked at Wade with uncertainty in his eyes.
“What’s wrong?” Wade asked.
“I am not ready for a damn mate. I don’t want one now. I am this close to being the Leader of the Vampire Council. I don’t have time for this shit. All the focus I will need to do the job correctly will have to be devoted to her. She will demand I tend to her and not the Council,” Samson said firmly.
Wade looked at Adrianna and stated, “I understand, Samson, but we wait our entire lives for the one person who completes us. You have found your mate and—look at her. She is beautiful, a goddess, and a warrior. You will see she’ll complete you. She will be by your side when you take over. She is a Protector and she will understand the time you’ll need to dedicate to your job.”
Samson couldn’t keep his eyes off Adrianna. The arousal he was feeling for a complete stranger was staggering to him. He wanted to fight the urges but couldn’t bring himself to stop looking at her. He knew he needed to get a grip on his emotions before anyone else noticed them. He needed to speak to Adrianna in private before anybody found out she was his mate.
Samson had always had a big appetite for sex. The way his emotions were jumping all over the place, he knew when he got Adrianna alone; he would probably fuck her against the wall. He had always been a dominant lover and expected his partners to be submissive, it was his way, or they could always leave. Samson liked being in control of his lovers. Samson couldn’t believe he was even thinking this way. He needed to get out of this dining hall before he lost control. He needed to escape her scent.
Samson looked at Wade. He pleaded with him not to tell anyone about Adrianna being his mate. He asked Wade to keep it to himself until he could speak with Adrianna.
Chapter Four
Cade Maxwell looked up and saw the most beautiful creature in his life. He couldn’t believe his eyes. The last time he had seen Adrianna; she was ten years old with pigtails in her hair. She had the biggest, green eyes and long, brown hair. Then he went into the Military with Mace. Cade hadn’t seen Adrianna in ten years.
His breathing became ragged. His pulse was racing and his skin started blazing. Cade smelled her scent when she entered the dining hall. Her fragrance was of the outdoors and musk. It was intoxicating. Cade could feel himself getting hard just by watching her walk. He couldn’t believe what was happening to him. Cade knew he had a lot of lovers, but he had never felt this particular way with any of them. He wanted to reach out and touch her. The urge to stand up, grab her, and fuck her was so intense he would have to sit on his hands so he wouldn’t reach for her when she got closer.
Cade looked over at Mace; he was shaking.
“What’s wrong, Cade?” asked Mace.
“It’s your sister. I think she is my mate,” Cade whispered.
Surprised, Mace looked up at Adrianna. Mace thought Cade was probably joking with him—at least he hoped the hell he was. Cade was his best friend and he trusted him with his life, but being mated with his sister was something he didn’t know if he could handle.
Adrianna tilted her nose in the air and smelled two different aromas that were incredible. One smelled like sweet honey. The other smelled of the outdoors and a musky flavor, combined they had her mouthwatering. Both scents called to her. She wanted to search out the person who smelled so intoxicating.
Adrianna had heard about the mating pull, but she never thought she would experience it. Her eyes focused on two different men. One she knew only through her research.
Samson Ward was next in line to lead the Vampire Council. He was gorgeous with short, black hair, blue eyes, and built with a wide chest and tight muscles. He was also looking at Adrianna with hunger in his eyes. Adrianna immediately looked away, not quite believing what she was seeing.
Then her eyes focused on Cade Maxwell. Adrianna had fantasized about Cade Maxwell for ten years. He was gorgeous. Cade had short, brown hair a woman could get lost in. Adrianna wanted to run her fingers through it. She wanted to run her hands all over his body. He was only a fantasy. Cade was her older brother’s best friend and as a young man, had only looked at her as a child. She was the little sister of his best friend. When she looked at Cade, he also looked as if he were hungering for her. These were feelings Adrianna couldn’t allow herself to think about. She didn’t feel as if her life was meant to have a mate in it. However, the thought of it was irresistible.
Focus! Her mind started screaming. While the Supreme Alpha was making his welcoming speech, Adrianna smelled something. A slight smell of magic, very subtle, not the magic Selena or even Adrianna used but something dark. Adrianna started scanning for something, which made her skin crawl. Nothing was visible. The Protectors were trained to watch each other’s back, knowing they themselves might not see the threat but to trust each other’s hunches or feelings. The Protectors against the wall watched, knowing Adrianna was looking around for something. Adrianna’s actions made them all on edge, looking around, trying to locate something out of place.
Adrianna started walking around the dining area, focusing on the danger, not the speech. Adrianna heard only the part where the Trinity had been found and the myth was a reality. There is one who is wolf, vampire, and witch—the one who would bring the three together. The groups gasped as if the Supreme Alpha couldn’t be correct. He had to be wrong.
Then the ceiling caved in at the air vent near the windows. Four men dropped to the floor and shifted into their wolf form. Adrianna chanted the protection spell and threw her hands toward the Vampire Council and Alphas, covering them with her spell.
Everyone was on their feet but couldn’t escape the protection. They could only watch. The Protectors and Guards were frozen where they stood against the walls. It appeared a fence of magic was holding them back so they couldn’t move or help. They could only stand there and watch. Only black magic could do that. It wouldn’t hold them long, but whoever was willing the magic, thought it would be long enough. Three wolves started running toward the Supreme Alpha.
Selena’s visions were true; they planned to kill the Supreme Alpha. Adrianna drew her sword and jumped in front of Afton. Adrianna’s vampire fangs dropped down as she waited. The first wolf jumped toward Adrianna, thinking she was just a woman. Adrianna cut the wolf’s head off before his paws hit the floor.
The next two wolves surrounded Adrianna, snapping their jaws at her. Adrianna just smiled as one wolf jumped at her. Adrianna grabbed the wolf by the throat, breaking its neck, as the other wolf jumped toward her back.
Adrianna was so fast, the wolf never made it to her before she turned with her sword, cutting the wolf’s head off. Adrianna turned toward the last wolf standing at the windows. The last wolf watched Adrianna then jumped through the window, breaking the glass and running away.
All Council members and Alphas just stared at Adrianna. Disbelief and shock were on their faces. They all understood now that Adrianna was the Trinity. The most shocked of all was Mace, who never understood how powerful Adrianna was. The spell was broken, releasing the Protectors and Guards. Mace had never really thought of Adrianna as a Protector. He just wanted to remember her as a young child, always laughing and following her big brother around. He knew now, too much time had passed; Adrianna had grown up and was now a powerful Protector.
The Protectors immediately ran toward the Vampire Council and Alphas, surrounding their charges. Damen McDonald ran to Adrianna, asking if she was hurt. Adrianna acted as if she didn’t hear him and started shouting orders. She told the Protectors the threat might not be over and put into place the protection plan. Adrianna was a great strategic planner. She was always thinking outside the box, coming u
p with scenarios of what could possibly happen. Finally, she would get to use some of her problem solving ideas.
Adrianna gave orders to half the Protectors to start checking perimeters and the air condition ducts where the wolves had come through. The others would remain to protect their charge and other Alphas.
Adrianna went to Afton with concern in her eyes and asked, “Are you hurt, sir?”
“They never touched me, Adrianna, thanks to you.”
Selena came rushing into the dining area asking Afton if he was alright.
“Yes, Adrianna took care of all of us. She was incredible.”
Afton looked at Adrianna and asked, “Adrianna, can you release the Council members and Alphas now? They appear to be getting restless and they’ll want answers. I will need for you to stay and answer any questions.”
Adrianna looked up, surprised. “I need to check the area to see if there is anybody else here. This shouldn’t have happened. Black magic was used.”
Selena gasped, “What did you say, Adrianna?”
“Black magic was used. I could smell and feel it, Selena. I couldn’t see anything at first, but I knew something wasn’t right.”
“Then it begins. Adrianna, we must talk; you must know all of what I have seen in my visions. You must be prepared. We don’t have much time left,” said Selena.
“Okay, Selena, but I need to check the area first. I think they’re gone but I want to make sure. I didn’t think this would happen.”
Afton looked up at Adrianna with a worried look in his eyes.
“Assign some people to do that, Adrianna. The Council and Alphas will want to talk to you.”
Adrianna waved her hand over the protection field, breaking the spell, and allowing the Council and Alphas to be released.
Edward Jonas, Leader of the Vampire Council, swiftly walked up to Afton. “What is going on Afton? Are we safe here?”
Edward Jonas looked rattled, when he usually looked calm and well composed. Adrianna started to jump down Edward Jonas’s throat when she collected herself and addressed him.
“Mr. Jonas, I understand you are nervous. However, I shielded you and the Council members. Nobody could have hurt you or penetrated my shields. This was an unfortunate act, which will be addressed and taken care of. Until we find out what has happened, please stay in the dining hall with your Guards. I will protect you and the other members.”
Edward Jonas started to relax, his body reacting to the danger.
“I’m sorry, Alpha, and to you as well, Adrianna. I will expect a full report on what is going on from you and Afton later.”
Afton wanted to punch the Leader of the Vampire Council. He was an asshole. He expected a report later, did he? He could just keep on fucking waiting. Afton kept his tongue silent and allowed Adrianna to handle Edward Jonas before he put his fist through his face.
Before Edward Jonas could say anything else, Mace walked up to Adrianna. He was worried.
“Adrianna, are you okay? Were you hurt?” he asked.
“No Mace, I have been trained to deal with these problems. I am not a child anymore.”
“I’m sorry, Sissy. I just…well, it was hard to see my little sister in danger and I couldn’t do anything to protect you.”
“Mace, I don’t need your protection. I’m very capable of taking care of myself.” Adrianna snickered and said, “Plus, you couldn’t get out of the protection field.”
Mace looked at Adrianna and shrugged. “Don’t get too big for your britches, little girl. It’s just you are my little sister, I’m your big brother, and I should be the one protecting you, not the other way around.”
“Bubba, listen to me. You are my big brother but you are also the Alpha of the Ashland Pack and your people need you more than me. They depend on their Alpha to be alive to help them. I have no doubt you can protect me, but I am a Protector and I’m pretty damn good at it, if I may say so myself. At least give me that.”
Mace smiled at Adrianna. “Sissy, you are more than good, you are the Trinity.”
Adrianna didn’t know how to respond to being called that from her brother.
Mace saw the concern on her face, the uncertainty of what he said to her.
“I’ve never seen anyone like you, Adrianna. The way you handled those rogue wolves—I’ve never seen anyone do that, Sissy…you understand that, right? You do know how good you are?”
Adrianna didn’t look up at Mace; her eyes were lowered to the floor. Adrianna wasn’t a vain person. She knew she was good at her job, but she never let herself think she was better than anyone else was. She always believed actions meant more than what people said about you did.
Then she smelled the most intoxicating scent—apples and the outdoors. Adrianna looked up into Cade Maxwell’s blue eyes. Adrianna thought Cade was the most beautiful man she’d ever seen. Cade stared directly into Adrianna’s eyes. It was almost as if he could see into her soul.
The hunger in those eyes told Adrianna that Cade was feeling the same mating pull. She couldn’t believe it. Cade Maxwell was her mate. How did this happen to her?
“Hello Adrianna, it’s been a long time. You’ve grown up to be a beautiful woman.”
Adrianna smiled while pulling her gaze away from Cade’s hungry stare. Her face lit up like a blazing red light. Adrianna was shy—especially when it pertained to Cade Maxwell.
Adrianna remembered when she was a child following her older brother, Mace, around with his best friend, Cade. Adrianna loved to look at Cade. He had a strikingly beautiful face with blue eyes, dark brown hair, and strong cheekbones. Adrianna could go on and on about Cade Maxwell. She lusted after him and he had to have known it. This made Adrianna very uncomfortable. She was generally a shy person and had never even had a boyfriend. These emotions were foreign to her. She didn’t like the way she was responding to Cade.
Adrianna dreamed and fantasized about Cade and the things she wished he would do to her. Now here he was, standing in front of her with lust in his eyes. Adrianna couldn’t let herself believe Cade wanted her or was it to talk about her being the Trinity. Adrianna never looked up again, while she excused herself from Cade and Mace.
Cade looked concerned and asked Mace, “Where is she going?”
Mace looked back at Cade. “I don’t know, probably checking the perimeter. What’s wrong, you look like you’ve lost your best friend died. And since I am your best friend, what is it?”
“Mace sit down, we need to talk.”
“Can’t this wait, I need to…”
“Now!” Cade stated. “This can’t wait. It’s got to do with Adrianna.”
Cade watched as Mace sat down worried. “What’s wrong with Adrianna?”
Cade didn’t know what or how to tell his best friend that his sister was his mate. “Adrianna is my mate!”
“What?” Mace yelled. “I thought you were just joking. Cade, please tell me you are fuckin’ joking.”
“Damn, I didn’t know Mace, not until she walked in the room. I felt it Mace.”
“Are you sure, Cade? If it’s your damn hormones, I don’t want my sister hurt when you go on to someone else.”
“Give me some fucking credit, Mace. I’ve never felt this way before. You are my best friend. I’ve known Adrianna since she was a little girl. But now…”
“Okay, okay, don’t say another word and especially to Adrianna. She hasn’t been told yet that she is coming home with me to Ashland. If you are truly her mate then you will feel the same way later.”
“Look Mace, I need to be near her, I have to be with her. It’s killing me now knowing she has walked off from me. I don’t even know if she is feeling the mating pull. It’s making me sick knowing she is a Protector and won’t even look me in the eyes. But I need to be near her. I need to touch her.” Cade sat down feeling the urge to find his mate.
“Please don’t say any more about Adrianna being your mate. Don’t tell me how you want to fucking touch my sister, my little sister at tha
t. This conversation is making me sick. Damn it, I really want to kick your ass right now, so spare me,” Mace said with a sigh. “Look Cade, Adrianna won’t just come to you. She has never had a boyfriend and is probably running scared because of the way she’s feeling. My sister has been hurt so much. There is a lot I’ve learned today that has changed Adrianna’s life, things that are going to happen that neither of us knew about. I don’t know how she will take this. You will only be another stress for her.”
“Look Mace, this is a shock to me too. I wasn’t looking for my mate. I’m sorry, your sister is beautiful and everything, but I love playing the field. Now all I can think of is playing with Adrianna, so this is a surprise to me too. I don’t know what to do, but I can’t help wanting her. If I can stay away from her, maybe it would help. I didn’t want a mate, not yet. I’m too young and have so much to do as Alpha for my people.”
Mace and Cade looked up as Samson Ward walked up. “Excuse me. I hate to interrupt, but my name is Samson Ward and I am to be your brother. Your sister, Adrianna, is my mate.”
Cade growled and immediately went on the offensive at what Samson said. Cade’s wolf lurked near the surface, trying to claw its way out. Adrianna was his mate, not this vampire. Well hell, he didn’t want her. Why was he getting mad? Or did he want Adrianna?
A chuckle came from Mace as he looked back and forth between Cade and Samson. Heat came off Cade’s body as anger and fear drifted toward Samson’s nostrils.
“Adrianna is my mate,” Cade gritted his teeth and growled at the same time.
Samson fought the urge to punch Cade in the face, but Samson was known for his diplomatic approach. Samson just smiled at Cade.
“Maybe, but I know she is to be mine.”
Mace was stunned that two different people were saying that Adrianna was their mate. Mace knew Cade, but he had only heard of Samson. Mace knew that Samson Ward was to be the new Leader of the Vampire Council. Both men were very dominant Alpha males. Mace watched as Cade and Samson continued to stare at each other.
