“Honey, there’s no use in arguing with Andras. He’s your Alpha now.” Lajos leaned over and kissed the top of her head. “I’ll return shortly. Don’t worry about us.”
She lowered her eyes at Andras. “Sorry, I’m still learning the ropes.”
“No offense taken. I understand there’s going to be a learning curve now that we have…humans in our Pack.”
She nodded then turned toward Lajos. “What am I supposed to do while you’re on an adventure? Sit around and twiddle my thumbs?”
“No, you have plenty to do with Trudy, and you can also help your mom finish shopping for furniture for their new place. Because I’m sure your dad and Miko would love to have couches and chairs to sit on.”
Meisha chewed on her bottom lip in thought. “You’re right.” She rose on tippy-toes and looped her arms around his neck. “Come back to me safe.”
Hunter choked up at the amount of love that emanated from the happy couple. Would he and Asha ever be able to share the kind of love and admiration that Meisha and Lajos had? His arms longed to hold his mate. His hands missed the feel of her skin. His eyes missed looking at her. His heart longed for her. His soul sang a song just for her.
He turned away from the couple, unable to watch them any longer.
“No doubt,” he whispered to her.
A bolt of lightning seemed to strike him in his chest, rocking him back on his heels. His breath caught in his throat as his lungs seized. Pain rippled through his body, waves of it firing to every nerve ending. Blinding light flashed behind his eyes. His brain felt as though it would explode against his skull.
“Hunter!”
“Hunter, what’s the matter?”
He heard the others’ concern but couldn’t focus on any of it. The pain was too great. On the next wave came sorrow and loneliness.
His voice finally came back, but as a cry. “She’s gone! My Asha is dead.”
Chapter Nineteen
“Get him on the plane!” Andras yelled. “We leave now.”
It felt as if his skin was peeling away from his muscles, piece by piece, little by little. He couldn’t think. He couldn’t move. Someone hauled him over their shoulder. Who? He didn’t know. His wolf was in a catatonic state and Hunter was no better.
The plane’s engine rumbled around him. Voices spoke at once in hurried tones and didn’t make any sense.
Grief washed over him. He’d never thought he would find a life-mate and he’d lost her so quickly. His chance for a family of his own was gone. Erzsebet had left him and now, with Asha gone, he’d live the rest of his short life alone and that’s how he would die.
He cried and howled, mourning a love that was lost. Andras tried to reason with him. He could feel the Alpha control trying to reach him, but no amount of power could find him.
He was lost.
“Is he going to be okay?” Kristof asked Andras as he kept a watchful eye on Hunter.
“I wish I could say yes, but I just don’t know.” Andras also kept his own eyes on Hunter. No matter how hard he tried to reach him and his wolf, he couldn’t pull them out of their grief.
Hunter huddled into a ball at the back of the plane. They’d done everything they could to make him comfortable, but none of the brothers could mend a broken heart or repair a broken life-mate link.
Andras ran a hand across Hunter’s slick brow, wiping away the sweat that beaded across his forehead. Hunter’s skin was hot to the touch but he shivered as if cold and his teeth chattered, all the signs of shock.
The pilot’s voice came over the speaker, announcing they were preparing to land.
“What’s the plan?” Kristof asked.
“We go to the blood-suckers’ den, kill them all and give Hunter the redemption that he needs. It probably won’t be enough to snap him out of this, but at least he’ll know that justice was served,” Lajos said.
“As much as I’d like to teach the Vampires a lesson for taking one of our own, the four…” Andras peered down at Hunter. He wouldn’t be any help in this state. “The three of us won’t be able to saunter into New York, take out a den of Vampires and expect to leave without being harmed.” He shook his head. “We have to do this the right way.”
Kristof lifted an eyebrow. “And that is?”
“We pay a visit to Adir, the head of the Vampire House in there. He’s Clarissa’s sire.”
Both Kristof and Lajos groaned, and Andras didn’t blame them. The wolf inside him wasn’t happy, either. While Andras had never met the head of the Vampire House, he could imagine that he was just as arrogant as Clarissa and her crew had been, maybe even more so. But there were rules in place and Clarissa had broken one of the most important ones.
The ride to Adir’s mansion didn’t take that long, but it was the wait to request an audience that irked Andras’ nerves. He and Kristof had sat straight-backed and alert for the two-hour wait, and while Lajos appeared more comfortable and relaxed, Andras knew his demeanor was a façade and he was just as alert.
Meanwhile, Hunter hadn’t snapped out of his catatonic state. He could follow directions and move and walk on his own but beside that he was nonresponsive. Andras also felt the loss of both Erzsebet and Asha through his Pack bonds, but he didn’t have the luxury of shutting down to the world—he had a job to do. And no matter how much he hurt and the sorrow he felt from those losses, he knew it was just the tip of the iceberg compared to what Hunter was feeling.
“I’m liking Lajos’s plan more and more as each minute passes,” Kristof said under his breath. Kristof was usually calm, but his frustration at waiting to be seen was beginning to show.
Lajos perked up at hearing that. “I’m still down. Let’s get out of here.”
Andras was a second away from agreeing when a human woman came into the parlor. She’d been the same one who’d introduced herself as Adir’s personal assistant. She was of average height with brown hair and brown eyes. Nothing in particular stood out about her. It was as if she could blend into the background. That fact alone struck Andras as odd since Vampires preferred humans that were as pretty and equally compelling as them.
“Adir will see you now,” she announced in a light voice.
Andras stood and Kristof and Lajos followed suit, ready to go with her. Instead of leading them out of the room, she clasped her hands in front of her and stepped to the side.
A Vampire much taller than the woman entered. He appeared to be of Middle Eastern descent, with dark skin that looked sun-kissed, perfectly styled brown hair and hazel eyes that showed age and wisdom. His features were sharp and had well-defined lines. He could’ve passed for a man in his middle forties, but Andras, although he didn’t know this Vampire’s exact age, assumed he was much, much older than that. The suit he wore was expensive and looked to be made just for his body.
“Sorry for the delay,” Adir said, his voice deep and sultry. Andras guessed his voice had lured many victims, men and women, to their deaths. “But as you can imagine I’m very busy.”
“I appreciate that you’re able to see us on such a short notice. I wouldn’t have imposed if the matter wasn’t important.”
Adir extended his hand. “Yes, yes, I know. That’s why I decided to see you.”
Andras shook his hand. It was like touching cold steel. Then he indicated to the others. “This is Kristof, my second, Lajos, my third, and Hunter.” He paused when he glanced at Hunter. Hunter stared at nothing in particular, his face impassive. “My fourth, and the reason we’re here this evening.”
“Please, please, have a seat.” Adir settled into a large chair opposite of them. When everyone took their seats again, he said, “What can I help you with?”
“As you may or may not know, we had an issue with our business and hired one of yours, Clarissa, and her team, to work for us.”
“I’m aware that you hired Clarissa to help with financial matters. There was someone who was embezzling money from your company? She is very good at what she does. I trust y
ou were satisfied with her work?”
Andras nodded. “Yes, she did find out who was embezzling from us. It turned out there was a Vampire who was compelling one of my own to steal and deposit money into an off-shore bank account. Clarissa helped to catch him.”
Adir narrowed his eyes. “This Vampire, is he one of mine?”
“No,” Andras answered. “He belonged to a rogue Vampire clan from Hungary. He and I have crossed paths before. I had asked Clarissa to give him to me so that I could question him and she didn’t.”
Adir seemed to think about what he’d said for a few minutes. “I will speak with Clarissa and make sure that she makes the appropriate reparations.” Adir started to stand. “Now if that is all…”
Andras put up a hand. “Thank you. But that isn’t why we’ve made this trip. Clarissa, she has a human assistant—”
“Asha,” Adir said. “A very lovely woman. Did she do something to offend you?”
“Not Asha,” Andras said. “Our offense is with Clarissa.”
A perfectly sculpted eyebrow rose. “Clarissa?”
“While they were in our employment Hunter imprinted on Asha. They’re now life-mates.”
“Ah, life-mates.” Andras couldn’t tell if Adir was amused or surprised or a little of both. “They’re bonded forever.”
Andras gave a slight nod. “Yes.”
“Well, I suppose Clarissa wasn’t too happy about that. She’d been grooming Asha to officially join her family. And I suppose that is why you are here? Clarissa is upset and you need me to smooth things over with her?”
“I wish it were that simple. You see, Clarissa has taken Asha away and, I fear”—he tilted his head toward Hunter—“that she has killed her.”
Adir was silent then he said, “Was Clarissa aware that Hunter and Asha were life-mated?”
“Yes, she was aware and she made Asha leave with her anyway.”
“Thank you for coming to talk with me first.”
“It was the most respectful thing to do.”
Adir stood. “Shall we go pay Clarissa a visit, then?”
Andras blinked in surprise. He’d prayed all the way to New York for Adir to be sympathetic to their problem, but had planned for a cold response. The Vampire in front of him wasn’t at all like the others he’d met.
Andras stood as well. “We can’t get Asha back, but we would like…” Andras didn’t quite know what he wanted. When they’d first planned this trip, it had been a retrieval mission. Now…now he didn’t have a clue. But maybe at seeing Clarissa punished, Hunter would somehow find the strength to recover.
Wolf-Shifters lived upwards of five hundred years, and although Hunter wasn’t even close to that age, the loss of a life-mate guaranteed that he wouldn’t live for more than five years at the most. Both he and his wolf would continue to decline until one day they would give up on living. They would die of a broken heart. It was inevitable.
“I know a lot about your kind,” Adir said. “And I know how grave the situation is for one of you to lose a life-mate. I can’t reverse the hands of time, but hopefully, I can resolve this to your satisfaction.”
Kristof and Lajos helped Hunter to stand.
“Thank you,” Andras said.
Hunter inhaled a sharp breath and he opened his eyes wide. Andras, surprised by his sudden movement, turned toward Hunter. When he hardly breathed before, he took breaths so deep that his chest heaved. He looked at Andras with shock in his eyes.
“She’s alive.”
Chapter Twenty
Nothing.
It was odd. How did one quantify nothingness?
Nothing ached.
Nothing hurt.
Nothing beat.
Nothing moved.
Nothing.
It was as if she were in a pitch-black room and she couldn’t feel the walls or floor.
Then the sounds began.
Wheels from cars on the pavement, spinning and kicking up rocks and dirt. She didn’t know how she knew that but she did. And not just one car, but many, from all around.
Wind blowing outside, hitting the trees on the grounds and leaves rustling as they blew across the grass.
Her heart…no, her heart did nothing. Was she beginning to panic? That in itself made the panic attack begin. She waited for the chemical reaction, for the fight-or-flight response to kick in, but if one’s heart wasn’t beating and air didn’t fill lungs then…wait, she wasn’t breathing, either?
I’m dead.
Ash opened her eyes with a start.
The ceiling gleamed with whiteness and minute traces of pink, yellow and beige. There were lines in the paint, as if someone had used a wire brush to apply the coat. She blinked then counted the lines. Surely, she had more pressing matters to worry about, like her impending panic attack, but the need to count the lines in the paint was greater.
After she’d finished counting, she heard…what exactly? She blocked out the cars, the wind and the leaves and listened again. Quietness. No. A hum in the air.
“Asha, you’re finally awake.”
Ash closed her eyes against the sound. Clarissa. She was mad at her.
But why?
Did she really need a reason to be mad at Clarissa?
Clarissa wasn’t really nice to her, and hadn’t been nice in a long time.
Then it hit her.
Clarissa tearing her neck open and drinking from her artery with abandon. Ash lifted a hand to feel her neck. Instead of finding ripped skin, it was smooth to the touch. “You…you…attacked me.”
My voice. It’s different. Higher. Pretty.
“Clarissa?”
Her voice didn’t sound like hers at all. It sounded…it sounded like… A Vampire’s.
She opened her eyes wider. She turned to find Clarissa standing by her side.
“You made it through the transformation.” Clarissa wasn’t happy or sad about that statement. Indifferent was how Ash would’ve described it.
“What?” Ash lifted to sit up. “You changed me?” she shrieked.
“I told you of my plans.”
“I know, but I…” She’d hoped that Clarissa wouldn’t go through with it.
She swung her legs to the side of the bed. What now?
While she recognized all the furniture in the room, the colors were off. Instead of the dark-stained wood of mahogany, the furniture was vibrant and alive. Particles floated in the air. Not like how one could view dust in a room where sunlight shone through a window, but she could actually see things…tiny bugs…floating.
She glanced at the carpet, which used to be a normal beige but was now something a little different. But that wasn’t what held her attention. It was as if she were viewing the carpet under a microscope and could see dust and particles of dirt attached to each little fiber.
She peered at Clarissa again. She’d once thought Clarissa was as beautiful as an angel. Now, not so much anymore. She could make out the fine lines on her once smooth-as-porcelain skin. Suddenly, all of Clarissa’s imperfections were made clear. Her hair wasn’t as shiny as she had thought. It was dry and almost brittle. She appeared so regular and so fragile. As if knowing that she was under scrutiny, Clarissa smoothed down her hair and took a step back. “How do you feel?”
Ash noticed that she’d been staring at Clarissa for too long and pulled her eyes away. Good question. How did she feel? She looked down at her hands. They didn’t seem like her hands anymore. The veins that usually protruded under her skin were no longer there. Besides that, she thought she was fine. Actually, she would feel perfect if it wasn’t for the pain that was growing…in her stomach? No. She didn’t feel anything there. Where exactly was the pain coming from?
“I hurt,” Ash stated.
“You need to feed.”
Feed.
I don’t want to feed.
I want to feed.
I don’t want to hurt anyone.
But I’m so hungry.
Two different thoughts warre
d inside her. “I’m not going to harm anyone,” she said through clenched teeth. Although she’d said the words she felt sharp canines pressing against her tongue.
One side of Clarissa’s mouth lifted into a smile. “Do you honestly think you have a choice in the matter? You’re a Vampire now. It’s what you’ve always wanted, remember? Feeding comes with the territory.”
“I had changed my mind. But that didn’t matter to you.” Her anger rose.
Clarissa’s smile broadened. There was a wicked gleam in her eyes. “You’re mine now, officially, bound to me until the day you die.”
Clarissa was wrong. She could feel something else inside her. Hunter and the Pack. The ties that she’d felt before were still there, but now solid and thicker. The bonds that had been like pieces of string were now steel cables, connecting her to them, and the connection to Hunter was stronger than the others.
Nothing bound her to Clarissa.
She still had her family.
She slid to the floor and glared at Clarissa. “I’m not staying here with you, and you can’t make me.” She wouldn’t have stood a chance in hell with Clarissa before, but now power surged through her.
Clarissa tilted her head to the side and narrowed her eyes. “Really? Do you think that your mongrel lover would have anything to do with you now that you’ve become something that he hates? Something that killed his mother and father while he and his sister watched, hmm?” She chuckled. It wasn’t lyrical anymore, but childish. “You’re nothing but a monster to him now. One look at you and he’d try to kill you himself. He would rather risk death than have a lifetime mated to a Vampire.”
She didn’t know what hurt more, Clarissa’s words, or the fact that she was right.
She balled her hands into fists. “You’ve ruined my life,” she whispered.
“Ruined? Ha! I saved your life. Without me, you’d either be someone’s prostitute or dead. I brought you in, took care of you and how do you thank me? By mating with a mongrel.” Clarissa said the last part with such distaste and hate.
Hunter Claimed (Dark Wolf Enterprises Book 3) Page 15
