by Jen L. Grey
He reached down with his free hand and grabbed my throat, cutting off my airway.
Mason let go of his hand and jumped for his neck.
The vampire once again threw me to the ground and caught Mason before he could latch on.
I didn't land quite as hard this time, but between the already injured leg and my low oxygen, the world began to spin. I took deep breaths, needing to stay conscious and help.
The vampire had Mason by the face and brought his bloodied hand up, aiming his fingers at Mason’s eyes.
Oh, hell no. I struggled up on all fours, relieved that my broken foot was beginning to heal. I rushed the vampire and was able to leverage some strength to jump and bite into his shoulder.
He groaned in pain and reared back, throwing Mason ten feet away, slamming him into a tree.
A large yelp sounded as his body bounced off the tree and landed on the ground.
Mason. I yelled in our bond as I let go of the vampire and hit the ground, desperate to get to him. Right when I thought I might be able to pass the vampire, he yanked me back.
“Where do you think you’re going?” The vampire jerked me by the back of my neck and turned me so I was looking into his face. He pulled me closer and took a huge sniff. “And people said you’d be hard to beat.” His dark laughter rang in my ears.
I had to end this and now. I steadied myself and swung my front legs forward. As my claws touched his neck, I sunk them into his skin.
“Agh!” He tore me away, causing my neck to snap away from him, and then tossed me onto the ground.
Luckily, I was able to control the speed and land on all fours without further injury. I had to get to Mason and check on him. Are you okay? I wanted to look at him, but the vampire would attack.
I’m fine. His voice was faint but there.
Now that I knew he was okay; I could focus on the vampire. The asshole had to go down. I’m going in.
Distract him so his back turns to me. Mason’s voice was strengthening. Do whatever you need to, and I’ll surprise him from the back.
Okay, I could do that. I took a deep breath and pretended to charge the vampire. When he appeared ready for my attack, I swung around him and turned back around so I could face him.
When he turned his back to Mason, I was tempted to break out into a little dance.
“Getting scared?” The vampire laughed as if he had told a great joke. “I told her I’d get you.” He charged at me, blending together with his speed. I took a quick breath and then rolled out of the way. He ran past me and almost reached the broken pregnant girl in the front yard.
Not wanting him to turn around and see Mason getting closer to me, I rushed and jumped onto his back, thrashing the skin on his neck.
“Agh!” He groaned as he tried to reach over his shoulders to grab me. He managed to get a hold of my uninjured foot and began yanking, but it was enough of a distraction for Mason to launch.
My mate’s auburn fur coat jumped past me, and his teeth sunk into the front of the bewildered vampire. Before he could do anything else, Mason ripped out his throat.
As the vampire fell to the ground, I unlatched and fell down on all fours.
There was a huge thud as the vampire hit, and soon his body began to disintegrate.
Mason rushed over to me and checked me all over. Are you okay?
I’m fine. I glanced at his side and saw blood pooling there. You need to sit down.
No, I’m fine. He licked my face. It’s already healing. We need to go check on the others.
My heart sunk. I could feel the pack’s link to me and could tell there were several hurt and injured. A few seemed wounded enough to dim from my bond. Yes, we have to hurry.
Chapter Thirteen
Brent rushed into the clearing, looked at Mason and me, and then his mate. Is she okay? Were you attacked?
Yes, we were, and she's about the same. I needed to get back to my people.
Stay with her. Mason commanded him as he turned to run back in the direction of the fight where everyone else was still trying to gain the upper hand.
We'll be back soon, I promised. But I couldn't stay back any longer. Mason was as desperate as I was to get back to help everyone else. He was feeling the struggles too.
Fine. I'll let you know if we need help. Brent's tone wasn't condescending but tired.
As we rushed back into the clearing, I wasn't expecting what I saw. Kassie was taking out what had to be the last of the vampires. Ash blew in the air, and there were several injured wolves along with a few dead on the ground.
My heart broke. We needed to bury them.
Oh my God, you scared me. Ella ran over to me in her wolf form. Her blonde fur matched her hair. Are you okay?
There were a few bite marks on her but nothing really worrisome. Most of them had already healed. Yeah, there was a vampire waiting for me. That's all. I was already healed, but Mason was still limping.
Where's everyone else? Mason glanced around, looking for our guards and Louis.
Louis’s light auburn wolf came trotting to us. He had deep gouges on his sides and his breathing was ragged. The guards are coming back around. He jerked his snout to the back of a house. A little girl was being attacked, so they went back there to help her since the numbers had already been cut down.
Vampires really were the most cold and heartless supernatural breed of them all. Killing a small child was the same as killing an old person. They didn't give a shit. We need to shift back and take care of the dead. It was the right thing to do.
I turned and trotted back toward Brent.
He was lying next to his wife, his head on her stomach. When he saw me, he raised up onto all four legs. Is everything okay?
Not sure if okay is the right way of putting it, but we all need to shift back. I paused for a minute because this was kind of awkward. Do you mind shifting and grabbing our clothes from the Suburban? I'll stay with your mate.
Yeah, I can do that. He ran into the house, leaving me alone with the injured woman.
I walked over to her and noticed her breathing was growing louder as if she was struggling. We needed to get her into a room and elevate her legs. If we could slow down the bleeding, her wolf should be able to begin healing. We couldn't lose her and the baby.
In what could only have been seconds, Brent rushed out of the house and ran straight for the vehicle. He was no longer the cocky, arrogant bastard who came to breakfast. If it was under any other circumstances, I would relish it.
Guys, Brent's getting our clothes. Meet me over here at the house. We need to help his mate, tend to the injured, and bury our dead. I walked closer to the woman and rubbed my head against her.
Mason ran over to us with the rest of our crew following behind. It looked like Louis was the one who took the brunt of the injuries. Or, at the very least, he wasn't able to mask his discomfort like Mason could.
Thank God you two are okay. Kassie breathed hard as she reached me. These vampires came here to die; a suicide mission. I don't know what the hell is going on.
Brent hurried back over to us, holding three bags. "I hope these are all of them." He opened the door to his house, and we all entered. It was a nicer two-story house with an open floor plan and modern touches. It was even nicer than the house we had back in Columbia but still felt homey.
He turned down the hallway and went to the back. "Here." He opened the door to what must have been his bedroom and dropped our bags on the floor. "You can change in this room and in the connected bathroom there," he said as he pointed to a door, "and the hall bathroom."' He pointed back down the hallway to a middle door on the other side. "Split up however you need. Please, I just need help saving my mate."
He ran out of the room and headed straight back outside.
Come on, Mason. I grabbed our bag with my mouth and trotted to the bathroom. Let's change in here. You guys hurry. His mate is bleeding out.
Okay, Louis and Ella, go down to that bathroom across the hall
. Tommy grabbed the bag that must have had the guards’ stuff in it.
Or, at least, I hoped it did.
I'll go change in the closet, and you two ladies can change here. He picked up their bag and went into the closet. Let me get my stuff, and I'll slip it out.
Needing to hurry, both Mason and I walked into the bathroom, and I shut the door with my snout. It wasn't long before we shifted back into our human forms and dressed. I wasn't going to lie; I enjoyed having to wear my yoga pants and a shirt.
"Are you three dressed?" I wasn't about to walk out to see things that I'd rather not.
"Give us another minute," Mona replied.
Hey. Mason's hands landed on my shoulders and turned me around.
Look, I'm sorry. I guessed he was going to use this time to tell me how I put myself needlessly in danger and everything else I’d done wrong.
No. He chuckled and pulled me into his arms. I just love you and hate to see you get hurt. It kills me, but thank you for asking for help. You don't know what that meant to me.
But you were already on your way. I hadn’t been expecting this and was a little dumbfounded.
True, but you didn't know that. He leaned down and softly kissed my lips. I love you.
Even though I was responding to his kiss, a grin crossed my lips. I love you too.
"All right, it's clear." The door opened, revealing Mona. "Of course, I'd open the door to them sucking face."
"That's because you're too nice." Kassie opened the bedroom door and motioned us all out. "If you just hollered at them like I do, they would've stopped sucking face before they walked out."
"Sucking face?" When she said it like that, it sounded disgusting.
"Yeah, it's an older person’s term for kissing." Ella bounced into the room and winked at me. "It's the equivalent of bumpin' uglies."
"No, no it's not." Mona shook her head.
"None of these phrases sound appealing." Louis wrinkled his nose. "You Americans have some awful descriptions for things."
Tommy walked out with his forehead lined and brows furrowed. "This is a conversation I really don't think I should be hearing."
"Oh, are you like a hooker. You don't kiss, only do the deed?" Ella giggled as she took in Kassie's horrified expression.
"As fun as this is, I'm going to help Brent move his pregnant mate in here." I loved them, and I get we were losing our minds a little after that fight. However, duty called.
"She's right." Kassie pointed at me, clearly trying to get out of the current conversation.
Our group headed down the hall, and when we stepped outside, Brent had his wife's hand, and he was staring at her.
His eyes found mine. "What can we do?"
"First thing we need to do is get her into your bed and elevate her feet with pillows and covers." Kassie bent and was quietly listening to her heartbeat. "Thankfully, both heartbeats sound strong, so let's move her inside." She glanced at Tommy. "It'd probably be best if you carry her, just be careful, and don't jostle her."
I was kind of proud that I knew what she'd say. It was the same first aid training they had taught me growing up. They did everything they could to make sure I could survive and thrive on my own.
"Okay." Tommy bent low and gently placed his arm under her head and her legs. He slowly stood up, barely jarring her at all.
"Wow, you got some steady hands." Ella nodded her head.
"You learn how to keep them steady when you have to help others recover from battles." Mona watched him walk inside. "Guards get hurt regularly, and it's not like we can go to the hospital to take care of most of our injuries."
It's sad, but I had never really thought about it.
"What can I do?" Brent stood, looking lost and helpless.
"Right now you should help find enough stuff to keep her legs elevated and pray that her wolf healing kicks in." I needed to help the others. "The rest of us need to bury the dead and help the injured."
"This is a nightmare." Brent dropped his head and glanced at me. "Thank you for coming to our aid. I wouldn't have blamed you for not doing it. Hell, I wouldn't have if I were you."
"Our decisions define us." I didn't want to be an asshole, but at the same time, he hadn't been on my side. He had fallen for Richard's false promises. "Remember that going forward." I turned my back on him and waved my group on. "Let's go. We're going to need a few shovels."
We had to have been going for at least four hours. The moon shone brightly overhead, and I knew it was approaching midnight. My body was tired and sore.
"Go ahead, you two, go in and rest." Mona pointed at the alpha's door. "You both have been going at it harder than anyone."
"No, that's not right." I needed to be out here with them, helping the last handful of people.
"Honey, she's right." Mason took my hand and tugged me toward Brent's house. "The last two people are being tended to by Kassie and Tommy. Hell, Ella and Louis went back over an hour ago."
"It's fine, My Queen." The couple that had to be in their forties smiled at me. The woman’s smile was sad, but there was so much respect filling her eyes. "I thought the last royal who cared for us was gone. I'm so thankful that I was wrong. You're just as wonderful as your father if not more so." Her eyes then landed on Mason. "And destiny knew what they were doing when they made you king."
Mason took a sharp intake of breath, and his eyes suddenly looked glassy. "Thank you, but I'm the lucky one." His attention focused on me. "She makes me a better man."
"Now, go on." The man motioned us away. "You two need your rest. All we have are a few scratches. We were the least injured out of the lot."
"Let me know if anyone needs anything." I hated to leave, but I was about to fall asleep standing.
"Come on." Mason began tugging me once more toward the house, but this time, I followed.
When we entered, I glanced down the hallway and found Ella, Louis, and Brent together in the bedroom, watching over his mate. I really needed to learn her name.
I turned and headed toward them with Mason right by my side. I couldn't imagine trying to do any of this without him.
Ella turned toward me when we entered the room and smiled. "I think they're going to be okay."
"Yeah, her heartbeat is getting stronger." Louis smiled even though there were dark circles underneath his eyes.
"You two need to get some sleep." The hotel was another thirty minutes away, so we were up for at least a little while longer. "We should be ready to go in about fifteen minutes." Even though it wasn't long, it sure felt like it was hours away right now.
"I have four bedrooms." Brent stood up and looked at me. "Please, stay here. You and the king can have the other bedroom on the main floor, and there are two more bedrooms upstairs. If your male guard doesn't mind sleeping on the couch, I can get a pillow and sheet for him.
That actually sounded like heaven. "Are you sure you don't mind?"
"It would be my honor." He glanced at his wife, his brown eyes seeming lighter.
I wasn't going to make him offer twice.
"That sounds wonderful." Mason's words were so fast it was as if he thought I might argue. "Is there anything you need from us before we retire?"
"Nope, not at all." Brent took in a deep breath. "I'm not afraid to leave her for a few minutes now, so that's a big step." He pointed at Ella and Louis. "You two go ahead and go to bed too. The bigger room is the door on the right. It has its own connected bathroom too."
"Sold." Ella grabbed Louis's hand and pulled him to the door. "I'll see you guys in the morning."
Despite Ella's persistence, Louis stopped in front of us. "Do you need anything from me?"
"If I don't get to go to bed right this instant ..." Ella ground out.
"No, we’re good. Thank you for your help. Go get some rest." I couldn't even hide my smile at this point. "Everything else can wait until morning."
"As long as no more vampires show up," Mason growled.
"Okay, let us know if
you need anything." Louis nodded at us and then chuckled when Ella began pulling on his arm again.
Soon, we were left alone with Brent. I wasn't quite sure what to expect.
"Go ahead and get some rest." He motioned in the direction of the room. "You both have gone above and beyond. This is the least I can do."
"That's damn right." Mason stepped closer to me.
"What he means is of course we'd come to protect our people." At least, you knew exactly where you stood with Mason.
"But I'm curious where Richard is." Mason tilted his head and narrowed his eyes. "He was your pick. Why are we here?"
"Actually, he was here when the vampire attacks started." Brent cleared his throat and glanced at his mate. "Let's go talk in the den. I don't want to disturb her."
"Okay." I turned, and Mason stayed right at my side.
I have a feeling this is going to be interesting. Mason linked to my mind.
We walked into the open foyer where there were a couch and a loveseat. I chose to sit in the loveseat so only Mason would be next to me.
"So, Richard was here." Brent took a deep breath and began pacing the floor. "He had received some kind of phone call that got him agitated. He got up to walk outside, but he was speaking so loud I could still hear everything he said."
Now we're getting somewhere. Even though I was exhausted, I had caught my second wind.
"From what I gathered, someone wanted him to do something, and he didn't want to. It escalated rather quickly. I remember him saying something like, ‘Fine, I don't need you anymore. I've got the major alphas locked in to turn on her.’" He rubbed a hand down his face. "Then, he yelled, ‘Yeah, right, what can you do?’"
"Any clue who he was talking to?" Mason scratched the back of his neck.
"No, not really. But it was someone trying to tell him what to do, and he didn't like it." Brent paused and glanced out the windows that faced the woods. "He came in laughing and remarked that no one could tell him what to do. Within thirty minutes, all those vampires showed up."
So not only do they have a witch helping in this but some kind of vampire too. The more we learned, the more nothing made sense.
