Prophesy (The King & Alpha Series Book 1)

by A. E. Via

  Justice was officially chastised and he’d deserved it. Shit. I love lamb with jelly. What had he been thinking, making Henry feel like that? The young vampire had gone out of his way to cater to him and his needs, making Justice feel welcome right from the start. He leaned down and kissed Wick’s forehead, apologizing to his mate before turning to Henry. “I am so sorry, Henry. I should never speak to you so rudely.”

  Henry began to object but Justice halted him. “No matter my title or station. There’s no excuse… but I have one nonetheless.”

  Henry and Wick both chuckled a bit, easing the strain, as Justice continued. “I guess I’m a little testy about having to leave my new mate and go back to the pack lands to work without him.”

  “That’s quite alright, Alpha.” Henry nodded, turning back to his laptop.

  Justice put his hand on Henry’s shoulder and it made the vampire lurch so hard, Justice yanked his hand away like he’d been burned. Wick flashed from his seat and was at Justice’s side. “What happened? I felt it too.”

  Justice was flipping his hand back and forth like he’d never seen it before. “I’m not sure. But I think I can comfort your vampires with my touch, just like I can my shifters.”

  Henry had his hand on his shoulder where Justice had touched him. “I didn’t mean to react that way. Your hand was so warm and the feeling that flowed through it was… was… I can’t explain.” Henry sat down at the table, appearing dazed. “I’m also not used to being touched.”

  Justice slowly moved back over to Henry, Wick right on his heels. “It’s okay. There was no intimacy in the touch, Henry. Shifters are an extremely tactile group. We rely on physical comfort, especially if we’re hurting, because without it we’d go insane. We’d lose our humanity to our animal. How did it feel when I touched you?”

  Henry was staring at Justice, his eyes slightly averted. “It felt really good. Like the best thing I’ve felt in years. I was so upset that I’d forgot to not call you ‘Lord’ like you requested. I pissed you off and then I created disharmony between you and your Beloved. I should be ashamed.”

  Justice was stunned over quite a few things. He couldn’t believe how sensitive the vampire was. He thought they were mostly a dime a dozen, all of them full of cockiness and nonchalance. Justice had assumed this, and like the saying goes, he made a complete ass of himself. He wanted to fix this. He needed to make sweet Henry feel better. It baffled Justice that he felt the compulsion as strongly as when he needed to console his wolves.

  With Wick’s hand on the small of Justice’s back, he felt the positive, soothing energy his mate was sending to him. Justice closed his eyes and centered all the emotion and strength within him. When he spoke again, his voice was calm but authoritative. “Let me touch you again.”

  Henry could only gulp hard and croak out an uneasy “Yes, sir,” after he got the nod of approval from his King. While he sat there, radiating anxiety and nervousness thick enough to stifle them, Justice reached his hand out and gently placed it on Henry’s shoulder, the pad of Justice’s thumb touching Henry just about his stark, white collar.

  Henry shivered as his eyes fluttered closed. Justice felt Wick’s tranquility, but he also felt Henry’s worry ease more and more until the man was vibrating and smiling under Justice’s touch. When he removed his hand, Henry’s eyes reopened, gleaming brightly. “I wouldn’t mind more of that.”

  “Cheeky.” Wick sneered with no heat, moving back to where he was sitting.

  “It’s still so warm,” Henry said in awe, rubbing his thin fingers where Justice’s had been. “His touch is pretty amazing.”

  Wick peered up from his phone, briefly. “Yes, I know. Glorious. I’ll have every vampire within a two hundred mile radius all waiting to be touched by my mate.”

  “Jealous.” Justice’s grin was irritating.

  “That’s preposterous, crazy. I have no reason to be.”

  “I like how it sounds when you say that word, in that superior accent of yours. Later tonight I’m going to make you say it repeatedly… and much louder.”

  Ramon came in with the four remaining vampires. “Greetings.”

  Henry was on cloud nine as he bounded into the kitchen and started to prepare the other vampires’ first meals, removing the already submerged bags of lifeblood from what Henry had told him was a water oven.

  The men sat down with Wick and Justice, waiting for their meals and instructions for the night. He wanted to sit there and watch the King do his business, but he did need to get back down the mountain to the Humboldt’s land and discipline the rogue shifters. Besides, he was sure his pack missed him. He’d been sleeping during the day and up with his mate at night. That was still a worrisome topic for them both.

  “I’m going to get back down the mountain.”

  “I can give you a ride,” Ramon volunteered quickly.

  “I can run faster.” Justice smirked, turning back to Wick.

  Wick smiled and leaned up for another kiss. The others considerately turned away while Justice kissed across Wick’s temple, mouth and jaw, until he got to his mark. He whispered – knowing that everyone could still hear him – “I won’t be long.”

  “My meetings will probably run late. Eat the dinner Henry’s researching and I’ll join you when I’m finished.”

  Justice had a feeling that meant for him not to come disturb him when he was videoconferencing with the previous King, Winchester Bentley, and the royal Councilors. With one last loving thought and a vision of their animals running together tonight under the moonlight after Wick’s long night of work, Justice walked out the front door, accepting Wick’s returned feelings.

  It took him a second to pry his hand off the doorknob. He had to go. He was going to have to learn to be away from his mate sometimes so they could continue to perform their duties. Justice alerted his siblings he was coming, shifted to his wolf and bounded into the trees.

  Justice emerged through the tree line, having given his wolf a good run. The alpha’s large home was still brightly lit inside, meaning they were all waiting for him. There wasn’t much activity as far as work during the evening, it was a time for community and family. A few of the teenage shifters were playing in the massive courtyard, rolling around and wrestling, nipping and leaping onto each other’s backs. All their heads went up at the same time when Justice approached. It took them a few seconds, but when they realized their AZ was about to join in on the fray and wrestle right along with them, the excitement and barks of joy rang out through the pack lands, bringing most of the shifters back out of their cabins to watch.

  It was important for Justice to directly interact with his shifters. He wasn’t the type of leader to rule from on high. Justice was fully approachable. He wasn’t an alpha that said he cared but never showed it. He needed to reinforce his relationship with them, especially with the threat looming, to let them know they were protected. And having the adults playing and tussling with the younger ones was a good way to make them stronger and to teach self-defense. It was natural for maturing wolves to test their limits, and Justice was quick to teach them a lesson that they valued immensely.

  When they were done jumping all over Justice and trying to take him down… hell, catch him, he showed them comfort by scenting, letting them rub along his body before they took off to do whatever the teenagers liked to do now.

  “You done playing?” Alpha Mikel was standing beside Alek, his thick brown hair pulled back into a ponytail, his hands crossed over his ample chest. “We have some work for you.”

  Justice shifted and came up to shake Mikel’s hand, an ear to ear smile splitting his face.

  “It’s good to see you, Alpha. Mating suits you.”

  Justice thanked Mikel and followed them though the lush lawn up to the main cabin. Everyone was already in there, sitting around on the multiple sectionals Mikel had in the great room where he held his meetings. He nodded to Mikel’s betas, accepting their congratulations as well. He took the cutoff shor
ts and wife beater his sister handed to him, giving her a quick hug before she went back to her seat next to Mac.

  Justice was about to speak when he smelled his youngest brother. He looked to Alek. “You didn’t tell me Taleb was back. He didn’t even contact me.”

  “I meant no disrespect. I thought it’d be rude to disturb you with your mate just to say, ‘I’m back’.” Taleb’s voice was quiet as he emerged from Mikel’s study, but his inner power made anything he said sound commanding. “It made no sense to do… so I didn’t.”

  Justice smiled fondly at his baby brother, folding him into him for a long hug. Taleb was too smart for his own good. “I appreciate the consideration. But next time you leave without informing me, and without your guards, there’ll be repercussions.” Justice still held his brother tight to take the sting from his words… but he meant them.

  “Yes, Alpha.” Taleb sat down next to Farica, waiting to hear what Justice had to say before he gave his own report. All of them did.

  He wouldn’t keep them long. He knew it was late and they probably wanted to get back to their own mates and families. However, Justice had to be sure the strong shifters in this room were on his side and his biggest allies. “I need to know you fully support me and my mate. We have serious matters at hand and we’re going to have to band together. All of us. Including the vampires. Chadwick Bentley is a good man. A dutiful leader and protector.”

  “He’s willing to fight for us. With us?” One of Mikel’s large enforcers asked. “They have the numbers.”

  “He is. By this time tomorrow, everyone in our species will know of our mating. There’ll be more uprising if we don’t handle the rebellious pack quickly.” Justice told them about the threat of scientists potentially hiring poachers to capture them so they could study them. “We all have to unite, because they don’t only want to study us, they want vampires too. Our own are turning in vulnerable packs for a few lousy dollars.”

  “Some vampires may get killed fighting shifters. They’re not stronger than us,” Alek interjected. “We don’t want to put Wick’s covens at risk due to our feud. And we especially don’t want to endanger your mate.”

  “It’s not only our feud,” Justice argued. “Wick’s speaking with his leaders about it now.”

  “We’ve fought and won wars before. The Mother has always ensured our safety and survival.” Taleb stood and everyone gave the thinker of the family their attention. He’d spent the last few days in Mystic with Shamans – the interpreters of their culture and history–- of course they hung on to Taleb’s every word. “This isn’t the first, nor will it be the last, shifter/vampire mating. More are to come.”

  Justice replayed what his brother said. There’ll be more. He was sure it didn’t mean more vampires being able to mate then shift. No, he believed the Mother only gave that to the King. But he prayed there were more fated pairings.

  Mikel sat forward. “So, as we join forces, you mean more shifters may find their true mates in the vampire community?”

  “Exactly,” Taleb said. “The Mother is wise. If King Bentley and Justice aren’t the only true mating, and there are indeed more, no one would be able to refute the prophesy. That our two species would unite again to fight our real enemy, not each other.”

  “Defiant shifters?” Farica frowned.

  “No. Human scientists.” Justice held up the tranquilizer dart.

  “Have they said any more?” Justice asked walking down the long narrow stairs that led to a small basement where Mikel held their captives for transport to a restraint facility.

  “No,” Alek answered. “I’ve already arranged for a pickup. The others are insolent and stubborn, holding loyal to their mutinous alpha; so I won’t even have you bother with them. Though I’m sure you could push the information out of them.”

  “I’d rather them give it willingly,” Justice rebutted.

  “I know. But the youngest one. I’m not sure. He’s different. Only twenty-two, and was the most cooperative. He’s the one that gave us all the information on how many members are currently in the pack, their strengths, weaknesses, everything. So I’ll take you to him.”

  Justice liked that the shifters were separated and in their own rooms, with plenty of space to move around and even shift if needed. There were also no metal bars and it looked as if they’d just recently been fed a generous meal. Alpha was glad that Mikel had adhered to Justice’s law that no alpha should have an inhumane facility on their land to hold their violators.

  Justice opened the door, not bothering to knock. The young man scurried to his feet, dropping not only his eyes from Justice’s, but his head too. “Alpha Zenith. I’m so sorry I betrayed you and my pack. I’m begging for mercy. Please let me out of here. I swear I won’t go back to the Ruby Dome and join the other rebels. If you just let me go, I’ll plead for my father’s forgiveness and he’ll let me come back home.”

  Justice stood there for a moment, assessing. The young man was being honest. He wouldn’t go back. But Justice had to gauge how much trouble the young man had already caused with his defiance. Inhaling deeply, Justice took in the boy’s scent, submitting it to his mental database.

  “You’re one of Alpha McCullen’s sons. He’s the alpha of the Washoe pack.”

  “Yes, AZ. I’m Shawn McCullen and I’ve disgraced him and my entire family because I believed lies and false promises. My father always said money was the root of all evil, and that’s what the Ruby Dome rebels get to sell out packs. And like an idiot, I fell for it, too.” The defeated spirit plopped back down on his small cot and folded his head down in his lap.

  “Hold your head up!” Alek barked.

  Shawn’s head flew up so fast at the command, his neck cracked.

  “I’ll have your father notified,” Justice said. The young man looked like he was about to rejoice, but Justice shut it down. “After you’ve done two months at the restraint facility in California.”

  “Noooo,” the boy whined, falling down on his knees. “Please, I promise I won’t go back to the Dome.”

  “I know you won’t. That’s why I’m only giving you two months. Your ex-pack members will do a year for breaking the pack’s cardinal law – for their participation in the death of a human, compounded by their complete lack of remorse.” Justice waited for Shawn to get off the floor and wipe his eyes and nose.

  “I understand,” the boy answered with more determination, though Justice could feel Shawn’s and his wolf’s devastation. Eventually, he’d be all right and he’d get back on the straight path. Justice would make sure of it. He was a young man who’d gone astray from his father’s teachings. It happened. Justice wouldn’t punish him too harshly. “Your discipline is more than fair, Alpha. Thank you for your kindness.”

  That’s all Justice wanted to hear… that he’d been reasonable. He turned and left with his brother close behind him.

  “Alek, have Mikel send a few shifters Shawn’s age down to comfort his wolf before the transport arrives.”

  “You really are too kind, Justice.”

  “Mom used to tell me there’s no such thing as being too kind.”

  The thought of their mom had them quiet and walking close enough to each other that their arms brushed.

  “Oh yeah. Taleb wanted to put in his request to officially meet your mate. He wanted me to ask you if he could go back with you.”

  “That’s fine. I’ll be heading back in a few hours. Wick is still in meetings.” Justice looked at his cell. It was after one in the morning. He wanted to stop in one final time on his administrative staff that was working diligently to send word of Justice’s mating to packs all across the country. Then he could finally get back to Wick.

  “Do you know what he’s doing at all times?” Alek elbowed Justice, wanting some details. It was funny because usually it was Mac who was the nosy one.

  “No. But it seems when I start to think of him, he becomes aware. How? I’m not exactly sure. We just call it a mate thing.” />
  Alek nodded. “I think I get it. Mom and Dad weren’t true mates, but remember Uncle Roslo’s true mate? They were practically one and the same after so many years.”

  Justice laughed. “I remember. Although, I promise Wick and I are different from other true mates.”

  “How? Besides the obvious.”

  “You’ll see soon enough.”

  Wick reached out to Justice as soon as he finished with all his political crap. It took a lot to shield his anger from his mate after it took almost thirty-five minutes to convince his father and the rest of the royal family that his mating was real and blessed. They’d accepted it for now, and Wick’s revelation of a potential group of human extremists that were targeting them. He had full autonomy to handle this how he saw fit.

  Wick slowly lifted his head, smiling. A feeling of brotherhood and warmth enveloping him.

  “What is it Wick?” Ramon looked up from his own paperwork.

  Wick liked how easily Ramon went back to casualness when the officials were no longer listening. He’d been promoted to captain and was now Wick’s third. His second was finally on the way. Wick never should’ve left his best friend in London. He’d needed him. And that whole debacle with Erman probably never would’ve happened because his Lord High would’ve torn Erman’s head off way before Wick ordered it done. They were all still sitting in the large conference room on the back side of the cabin making travel arrangements for the rest of his court. He couldn’t wait for them… especially Bell.

  “Why are you smiling?” Ramon asked.

  “We’re about to have company. And they’re having quite a bit of fun as they arrive.”