Release

by C. M. Steele

  Gideon and William guarded me and Charlotte as we held our babies. While the wolves guarded their kids and their mates. Something was totally wrong. I needed to call Falcon, but then I couldn’t just do that. I could feel him in battle. It was something I picked up on as the battles increased.

  “You’re on private property. What do you want?” Hunter asked someone who I couldn’t see over Hunter’s shoulder.

  “We want the vampires,” he said, my body shook. I calmed down and breathed slowly. I couldn’t let Falcon feel my tension. I knew that somehow this was for me to handle. My daughter cooed against my chest as if she didn’t sense the tension. Then suddenly neither did I.

  “You’re in the wrong place. There are no vampires here,” Gage said.

  “Bullshit wolf. If you don’t want your head torn off I suggest you give us Lombardi and Draco’s mates.”

  I could feel a shift in heat. Hunter was about to shift. All of them were shifting.

  “Stop,” I hollered, stepping around them. Most of them were humans. What did they think bringing them here? I saw the one who had spoken. He looked like a crackhead. Seriously, what kind of vampire was he? This must be the guy William, Charles and Evelyn had been talking about.

  “Lord Grayson, why are you working with the Lamia?” William asked the skinny dude.

  “Who are you? How do you know me by that name?” asked Lord Grayson, narrowing his gaze on William.

  William stepped forward. “I’m the dog that you found a hundred years ago.”

  “What? You pretended to be a dog all those years?” He scowled at him, feeling betrayed written all over his face.

  William shook his head, then smilingly retorted, “No, my curse was removed.”

  “What? How? I can’t believe that bullshit. I’ve been waiting two centuries for death that was supposed to come.”

  “I looked into the eyes of the girl child.” Just then Speranza giggled out loud. They all froze staring at my baby.

  “Are you sure?” he stammered, looking at the bundle in my arms.

  “Yes, I didn’t shift until I saw her.”

  “Why do you want to die?” I asked him. I knew without a doubt that she would have the effect. I could feel a change in the room. It happened with William too.

  “I lost my mate. Every day Stavros wants to do that to you. I don’t wish that on any being—well, maybe Stavros. He’s a real son of a bitch. But I didn’t come here to kill anyone. I wanted to see if there was hope.”

  “There’s hope. This is my daughter, Speranza.” I turned her around, trusting my gut. And like before with William, Lord Grayson looked into her eyes. His eyes changed and so did his stance. “Thank you, your Highness,” he said. A tear rolling down his sorrow-worn face. Then he turned around and killed the two vampires with him. We gasped, wondering what he would try next. If he was willing to kill them, would he do it to us? But instead opened the front door, gave me one last look and said, “Goodbye.” Then he stepped out into the sunlight. A roar escaped him as he turned to dust.

  “What the fuck was that about?” Gage muttered.

  “He’s wow…I can’t believe…just holy fuck,” Arabella exclaimed.

  “Hey, I couldn’t live without you either, Arabella,” Gage whispered, tugging her closer to him.

  “Stay here, ladies. We need to see who else is out there. We’re not alone.”

  Chapter 40

  Stavros

  What the hell? I stood on the edge of the property waiting in the blacked-out vehicle for that fuck to bring them out to the cars. Instead, he fucking turned to dust. He couldn’t die. How did this happen?

  This had to do with that little ball of shit. “Drive,” I roared through the intercom. I had this car built to protect myself.

  “Are we still going to the designated location?”

  “Yes. We’ll have to return as the sun goes down. I want her dead. I’ll send more fleets to the shores and to the castle to get that fucker tied up in agony when I butcher his family after I drain them almost completely dry.” I felt a burning rage for them that nothing could soothe. I wanted them all to die. Slowly would be better, but with Falcon that would be too hard to do. I’d been so close back with Nero. Damn their connection. It was so strong that nothing stopped it.

  We pulled into the underground parking garage. It was perfectly pitch black where we parked. Having a crooked cop in your pocket helped. He knew where we could go unseen. The fool really bought my lies. Once he outserved his usefulness he’d meet his maker.

  “Where is my wife?” I asked one of the other human guards standing at the elevator.

  “She’s in the suite.” I nodded and joined both men in it.

  “Good. I’ll need to deal with her. I’m sure as fuck she’ll be bitching. Nothing has changed in centuries.”

  “I don’t know how you all do it. I’ve been married twice. And I regretted both of them.”

  “You’re a fool. You have a choice and you did it twice. We have a bond, but I want to choke her until she passes out at least every day.”

  “At least she’s good looking.”

  “Will we get mates like that?”

  “No, because you weren’t born vampires.”

  The elevator pinged, and the bitching began. “I see you’re fucking empty-handed. Please tell me that you killed them over there. At least that’s excusable.”

  “God, do you ever shut the fuck up for four damn seconds? I didn’t fuck up. I don’t know if you forgot, but I can’t go into the sun. Jack fucked up.”

  “Really, he is the most famous and mysterious serial killer and yet he fucked up? I doubt that.”

  “He’s dead.” After centuries walking around as a fucking zombie-like vampire he just turned to ashes. I couldn’t comprehend it.

  She clenched her fists, pissed as hell. “No, he can’t be dead. He had the damn extra curse on him.”

  “Well, I watched the fucker turn to ash, so I’m guessing the wolves were prepared.” I almost let resignation get the better of me.

  “Do you think that they have their own magic?” she asked.

  “They must. There was no way he could die and yet, he did,” I guessed.

  “Well, he wanted it.”

  “Yes, he actually missed his mate,” I scoffed. What a fucking pussy. I wouldn’t be that lost without this crazy bitch.

  “Well, that’s because he has a heart, Stavros. You on the other hand lack a heart and a pair of balls.”

  “Witch, get in our room right now. You need to be dealt with.” I turned my men. “Marrying a sociopathic witch can be a lot of fun.” I needed to calm down before I acted on Falcon’s wife and my wife knew how to get me to relax.

  Chapter 41

  Falcon

  “What do you mean that vampires showed up?” Pissed was an understatement. Losing it, I grabbed Hunter by his shirt. “How did they get in here?”

  “I don’t know,” he stated, shrugging out of my grasp. “But they had help. After all, that damn helicopter landed in the middle of my fucking yard.” There marks where it landed.

  “Well, what happened? Why didn’t you call me like I told you to do?” I directed that question to my mate. She could have told me in seconds and I would have been at her side.

  “Because we had it under control.”

  “Under control?”

  “She’s right. There was only three of them.”

  “It was the guy I told you about,” William added. “His name was Lord Grayson.” As soon as he said his name I remember exactly who he was. The man I hunted in London—the infamous Jack the Ripper. They described the details of the brief, excited, and heartbreaking visit. My daughter had a gift. How or why was unexplainable, just like Nora’s special blood. I held my family close. We couldn’t quite go back to the island, so perhaps taking them the castle may be a possibility tomorrow. I had a feeling that the battles were over for today and I didn’t want to risk another attack on the castle with my family around.


  “Hunter, we’re going to need to stay another day. I can’t let them get into harm’s way and I have a feeling that we’re nowhere near done.”

  “How did it go? Did they damage the island?” Nora asked.

  “No, so far only three ships showed. Since Charlotte saw more, I know it’s only a matter of time before they show again. They weren’t overly manned. Which I thought was a bit surprising, but I think they don’t want to fight hand to hand. The ships had massive amounts of grenade launchers, missiles, and long-range weapons. There were only a total of six men on each of those ships.

  Shit. My phone buzzed again. The radars show four boats approaching the island. I didn’t have long before they could reach land with a missile. “Sorry. We have to go again.” Draco and I kissed our mates hard and fast before teleporting into the control room in the fortress. They were three hundred yards away. It seemed like it was a good distance, but with their capabilities, it may be close enough.

  “Here’s the plan of attack. We strike one of the boats together, letting them sound off to the other boats that we’re coming on together. After we destroy them, we separate jumping to the other boats; confusion is the plan. There’s only me and you.”

  “We can do this.”

  We reached the first boat, both of us landing on the deck with a fierce energy, shaking the thirty-footer. With a grin on our faces, we pounced, sending three men to meet their fates before they could react, chopping off heads. We moved on, attacking any of those who came out. Next was the bridge. Like expected, they were sending out our location. Pitiful.

  “You,” I said, staring at Placido’s son, Fierro, smiling at him with a promise. “No out running me this time.” I flashed my blades that shone in the moonlight. He backed up looking for somewhere to run but he was out of his mind that it would work. He hit a wall in the form of Draco who lobbed his head off as I jabbed him in the chest. Now to the rest of the traitorous De Rosas.

  “Good luck, my friend,” I said with a brief one arm embrace. Then we were on different ships, leaving a tic-tic-boom on each ship. They blew up as we hopped from one to the other. Draco and I met up at the back of the fleet. And standing there with weapons ready, we had another plan. “You can join your brother and nephew.” Then we were gone, back in the security room we hit the trigger and watch as their ship exploded. Sometimes, the new technology just works better.

  “Let’s get back to our families.”

  Chapter 42

  Leonora

  Falcon had left us again. It had been a non-stop fight. This time the sun had disappeared, and the darkness had taken over. All the women wolf shifters and their babies were sent away for their protection with Gage and Charles to Creed, the elder of Kane’s pack. Charlotte had thought it was best. The ones who stayed with us had rested on and off, feeding early enough to have the strength for a battle.

  Sending Falcon and Draco off had been a diversionary tactic by the Lamia. That I was certain of. Charlotte stayed in the bedroom with Marco and Speranza while I sat on pins and needles waiting for my mate to return. Are you okay?

  Yes, my King. Are you well?

  Yes, I am. Draco and I will be home soon. I believe they are running low on soldiers. Damn it, never mind. Call me if you need me. I love you, Nora.

  Always be safe, Falcon.

  I could hear the sirens just seconds later. Gideon and William flanked me. “Remember if this is out of control we call Falcon. Don’t hesitate.”

  “I will. Trust me I’ve learned the hard way.”

  I could hear the thoughts of ten humans. The rest must be vampires. I peeked through the window blinds and saw about thirty of them out there. In the front of the horde stood Stavros. I’d only been given a vague description of him. Typical Napoleon Complex. Most of the vampires that I saw were strong, well-built and handsome. This guy looked about as bad as Lord Grayson and he lost his mate. This guy just let the devil take his soul. There was no other way I could explain it. He had empty written all over him.

  I smirked because that anger would be his doom.

  They opened up in a blaze of bullets. “Fall back. We got this,” Gideon told the wolves. He and William opened the front door, then rushed around from the back, attacking the soldiers. One by one they were destroyed. As the bullets were spent, the wolves shifted, and the real fun began. Still standing in front of the house was Stavros before he shifted into a wolf. Fuck, he could pass for Kane’s wolf.

  “Okay, come at me, Stavros, but so you’re aware…I am the cure. My blood takes away the darkness. Now, let’s dance.” I rushed at him while he stood there on all fours frozen with the implication. At the same time, I called for Falcon.

  He’s here. We’re in battle.

  Coming.

  Stavros and I circled each other. I wasn’t afraid. He didn’t have the ability to disappear on me like Nero did. He had his back to the front door of the house. I lunged at him, but the fucker had other plans. He dashed inside. “Speranza,” I whispered. Rushing into the house, but it was blocked. Falcon appeared with Draco at my side. We couldn’t get through the door. It was locked. We slammed into the door, but nothing happened. We tried to teleport inside, but it was impenetrable. Fear struck us all. I turned my head.

  “That bitch.” There was a woman staring at us. I didn’t know who she was, but her arms stretched out and her focus was on the door. I gasped, ready to dart at the bitch. My baby was in there and she wasn’t going to stop me.

  “It’s his wife. She’s a witch?” Draco stammered. And to our surprise an unlikely ally came to our rescue, taking the witch down from behind. “Matthew,” Draco muttered. They tussled around while we teleported inside. Stavros stood in his full form stalking toward Charlotte and our babies. Our men went to attack, but we were quickly surrounded by more Lamian soldiers.

  Falcon fought those around me. One reached for my throat with his hands, but I ducked and junk-punched him. He groaned, then tried to come at me with a knife. Falcon came up behind him and stabbed him first. “My King,” I murmured. He winked, then teleported behind me. The kids were still blocked off by Charlotte while Stavros stalked her. He was looking for a weak point, but I had a feeling that she was well aware of his next move. Then four large vampires jumped on Draco before he could teleport to her side. He was on the ground and that was crazy. But then something insane happened. Charlotte shifted into a beautiful golden wolf. Everyone was stunned which gave Draco the time he needed to escape their clutches. She lunged at Stavros, tearing at his neck while Falcon pulled out his blade.

  “Your envy is your failing. Goodbye, Stavros.” He plunged the twelve-inch dagger into Stavros’s heart. And Charlotte finished the job, tearing his head completely off and turning the leader of evil into dust. Charlotte shifted back into her normal form stark naked. Falcon turned his head, focusing on the danger outside. Draco gave her the deadliest glare and quickly whipped off his shirt and pulled it over her head.

  Falcon rushed to the edge of the room, then barked out, “You two stay inside here.” He teleported out, but Draco hesitated, staring at his mate for ten more seconds before disappearing. Setting Speranza down next to a calm Marco in their borrowed crib, I swiftly approached a stunned Charlotte and wrapped my arms around her. She sobbed on my shoulder and it broke my heart. I thought she was magnificent, but Draco was livid.

  Chapter 43

  Falcon

  I was still in shock with everything that happened inside the house that I had come up short, being stabbed by one of the vampires. Draco came around and killed him. Staring at me like I was nuts, he told me, “What the fuck are you doing? We still have a battle.” He ran past me and went on a head-slicing spree. I watched the humans fall one after the other.

  More soldiers had shown up. I was looking for Matthew. He had been fighting, but Stavros’s wife wasn’t anywhere to be found. Matthew had one of the human’s gun and shooting them down. With only a few dozen warriors surrounding us, we attacked as a team.
Most of them were humans and they had no idea that their masters were gone, so they foolishly fought like they could win. Hunter lurched onto the guy coming behind me, taking off his head in one bite. I gave him a nod, then finished the vampire off.

  Once they were all dead, we all gathered to regroup. Gideon mentioned, “One of the humans fled. The witch called him Jones.” Jones? That was a common name, but I’d find out who he was.

  “Along with the witch,” Matthew added.

  Hunter, Kane, and William came forward, looking a bit haggard with some abrasions on their naked bodies. Hunter walked around us and opened a large bin and pulled out clothes for all three of them. “Thank you all. You’ve done everything and managed to still be alive. The war is over. The war is over. I can’t wait to tell my people that the war is over.” My heart became a million times lighter with that fact.

  “Do you believe someone will take his place?”

  “No, not at least for a long time. They would be stupid to come against us. Their numbers are now decimated to the hundreds. I can’t imagine that they even have a thousand even with the humans. Most of those they recruited will be labeled lost in battle. None of their generals are going to be able to try and tell the truth. If they do, we’ll kill them. They already deserve it, but I’m not interested in killing any extras.”

  “Good. Can you find a way to inform them?” Draco asked Matthew who came in at the most opportune moment.

  “I’ll spread the word,” Matthew said.

  “Thank you. By the way, how did you know to be here?”

  “I heard rumors of an attack on the wolves. I thought I owed it to you all to come warn you, but the mess already started. So I did what I had to.”

  “And we can’t thank you enough. What you did was brave, honorable, and so damn valuable. Nora or the children could have died without your help.”

  “She saved me. It was the least I could do. But I must go back to my family. I’m sure they’re worried about me.” I shook his hand, then so did everyone else. He gave us one last nod before dashing through the woods past Hunter’s gate.