By The Moon (Live By Night #3)

Chapter Seven

“ I can scent him on you.” Hugo banged his shoulder into Louis’. “You found your mate.”

“I found him when he was twelve.” Hugo stared at him, his eyes growing wide. “Yeah. Twelve.”

“Shit, and you waited. How old is he now?”

“Eighteen. I wanted to wait longer but… I couldn’t stay away.”

“I’m surprised you managed to stay away as long as you did.”

Louis nodded. “Puberty was hard. He was so fucking gorgeous.”

“Look, Louis. I’m happy you found him and have finally mated him, but does the council know?”

“No. I’m going there after I’ve finished here.”

“You have time to practice your begging skills.”

Louis snorted but didn’t respond because Hugo was right. He should have spoken to the council first. They’d become more lenient since Kelvin had mated Key but they still wanted to know about a human mate before the mating occurred. Louis had messed up and he knew there would be a price to pay. Probably some nasty job like Kelvin had to do as punishment. He didn’t mind so much now that he had Jerome in his life.

What he did want was Jerome in his life. He was now that they were mated, but Louis wanted him in his home and his bed every night and morning. Knowing his mate was safe and where Louis could keep an eye on him meant Louis could work better. With Jerome sleeping in a dorm, Louis didn’t feel like he could keep him safe, and with Maxim and his merry band of trolls back on the scene, Louis had to make sure his mate was safe.

“I’m thinking of asking Jerome to move in with me.”

“He’s human.” Hugo widened his eyes. “You know they don’t jump into these things like we do.”

“We’ve kinda known each other for a long time. It wasn’t like we needed the whole ‘getting to know you’ conversation. He wasn’t surprised when I told him what I am.”

“How was he?” Hugo turned and walked backwards, facing Louis. They were patrolling the east area of the city and even though it was late, the pavement was still busy.

“He said he’d been waiting for me.” Louis smiled softly. “That he knew I’d kept him safe.”

“I hope I have it that easy when I meet my mate. None of this freaking out when I drop fang, you know?”

“He had me appear in his dad’s kitchen. Freaked Shaun and Jerome’s sister Candice out but now she wants me to find some hot young single vampires who know their way around a woman’s body because human men are shit at it.”

Hugo threw his hand up in the air. “I’m free, hot, youngish, and very much available. Plus, there is no better taste than—”

“Stop right there.”

“You’ve slept with men and women. Most vampires have. I tend to prefer women but if my mate is a man I’d have no problem. Cock or pussy I love them both.” Hugo licked his lips. “Though you’ve gone for men more than women.”

Louis nodded. He had before he’d seen Jerome and then there was only him. “Shaun asked him if fairies existed.”

Hugo laughed and turned around, walking next to Louis. “What else?”

“Werewolves.” Louis grinned. “Poor Jerome. Shame I had to work and wasn’t around to help.”

“Some mate you are. I started work earlier and I’m now out here. When will I have a day off?”

“Ask Gray, or better yet, ask Key. He’ll get you a couple of days off together. With the number of days you’ve worked without a day off you deserve a nice break.”

Louis and Hugo found an area where CCTV couldn’t see them and with a wave, Hugo disappeared. Louis moved on and carried on walking along the sidewalk, moving around humans. A fight broke out ahead of him and he crossed the street to avoid becoming involved. Within a minute the fight was broken up and then the two men laughed and hugged each other.

Shaking his head, Louis muttered, “I don’t think I’ll ever understand that.”

Carrying on, Louis licked his lips when he thought about the council and how they would react when he informed them of his mating. The rules had been relaxed in regards to mating humans but you had to inform them prior to mating so they could perform a background check. Louis wasn’t sure how that would affect him and Jerome. Jerome was young and at university so his background check would come up clean. His family were hard working and law abiding so that would be fine as well.

Even with that, Louis knew he would have to be punished. He hoped it wasn’t a job like the one Kelvin had to do. He didn’t want to be collecting and disposing of trash, but if that was what he had to do then so be it. He’d cross that bridge when he came to it.

Louis?

Louis smiled when he heard Jerome’s voice in his mind. Yeah?

Do we date now?

Louis slowed. Do you want to? He wanted Jerome in his home and in his bed but he could wait if he had to. Jerome’s education was far too important and Louis was more than willing to wait until he had completed it. No, that was a lie. He wanted Jerome with him now but he would wait if he had to. Do you want to date? We do need to get to know one another.

I feel like I’ve known you all my life. I’ve been waiting for you. I knew you were out there somewhere and now you’re here.

Louis felt the exact same way, but he’d known what Jerome was to him. This was new to his mate so they should go slow. What do you want to do?

I’d like to date if we can. Go the movies and for meals out but I don’t want to go home alone at night. I want to be with you now I’ve found you.

I feel the same way but I don’t want to rush you into anything. You have your studies, and friends and family.

And you. I have you. I can still do my degree no matter where I live unless you live somewhere like outer Mongolia.

Louis snorted then chuckled. I don’t live far from your family home.

You moved there after finding me? That’s sweet.

Louis rolled his eyes because yes, he had moved after finding Jerome. I did.

I can move in with you then? I can drive to school or catch the bus, or you could drop me off.

I could, but are you sure this is what you want to do?

Would you stop me seeing my friends, or going out with them?

Louis sucked his lips in. He wouldn’t because he didn’t want to control Jerome’s life, but he also didn’t want his mate to be out where other people could take advantage. He trusted Jerome. He didn’t trust others. I would only ask that you were careful.

Of course I would be. I have you now. There’s no one else for me.

Louis sighed and closed his eyes sending warmth to his mate through their connection. I miss you.

I miss you too. How long before you finish?

I’m on a long one so I won’t see you until tomorrow now.

I’ll still be at home. Want me to save you some food?

Louis grinned. Homemade food someone else made? Yep!

He felt Louis’ happiness. Such an amazing feeling that made him feel so much better. I’ll make sure Dad saves you some.

Louis saw movement ahead and slowed. He wasn’t sure what it was that made him pay attention but the hairs on the back of his neck rose, his skin tightened. I need to go.

Jerome understood immediately. Be careful.

I will. I have you now. Louis broke contact and moved toward the mouth of the alley, pausing when he reached it. He listened, hearing the faint rustle of movement, and glanced around the corner, quickly assessing the scene in front of him. A young man—or vampire—was leaning against a wall staring down the alley away from where Louis stood.

Louis heard movement farther down and watched as the vampire stood and walked toward a young man, human, who came toward him. The human smiled and easily stepped into the vampire’s arms when he held them open.

“I’ve missed you.”

The human kissed the vampire. “Same. I had to come up with an excuse so I could get away from my dad.”

“At least your dad doesn’t want to end the world and make humans slaves.”

The human winced. “Let’s get away from here. Let’s go home.”

The two disappeared and Louis stepped out, staring at the spot where they’d been standing. That had been an interesting conversation to overhear. ‘At least your dad doesn’t want to end the world.’ Could this be the son they’d heard about but had nothing on? Maxim’s son. Glancing around, Louis noticed the absence of cameras. Good spot to meet and disappear.

Moving away, Louis called Gray. “What?”

“I just saw something that you might be interested in.”

Gray grunted. “Go on.”

“A young vampire, male, meeting a young man. Human. In a relationship, by the looks of it.”

The sigh was loud on the phone. “Shit. We need to make sure everyone knows about vampire/human relationships.”

“The kid knew he was with a vampire. They teleported away.”

“What the fuck! That’s some dumb shit right—”

“The vampire mentioned his dad wanting to end the world and enslave humans.”

Gray stopped talking. “Say that again?”

Louis licked his lips. “You heard. I didn’t get to see his face clearly. They knew each other well enough that the human knew about the vampire’s dad and what he’s like. I think it was him. Maxim’s son.”

“Where are you?”

Louis told Gray and waited, knowing Gray would be pulling up all the CCTV footage in the area. “Black hoodie and jeans?”

“Yep.”

“I have him on camera for a second. No image of his face. Shit.”

“This vampire’s in a relationship with a human, knowing how Maxim feels about them.”

Louis heard the intake of breath. “Mate?”

“Could be. I wasn’t close enough to scent either of them. He mentioned their home just before they left. They must have a place they go to. Somewhere they consider safe.”

“Did you see the human? What did he look like?”

“Tall, broad. Wearing a black hoodie, pulled up.” Louis hadn’t been paying full attention to the human. He’d been watching the vampire, and making sure he didn’t attack.

“They were being careful to keep their faces hidden.”

“Maxim could be watching CCTV like us.”

“He will be. No doubt about it, so they both know to be careful.” There was a pause then, “Got him. Came in from the opposite direction. I’m backtracking his movements now.” Another pause then, “Fucker knows where the cameras are. Can’t get a clear picture of him.” A sigh then, “At least we can confirm he exists. Kind of. Without an actual visual we only have what you heard. Could be one of Maxim’s followers’ kids.”

“Could be but I have a feeling it was his kid. The way they both hid, and avoided cameras. The words he said. His dad wanted to enslave humans, but you could be right.”

“I need to inform the council but… shit. This could be something or nothing.”

“We should increase patrols around here. They know the area well. Might be a meeting point for them.”

“I will. I’ll do a thorough search of the area. Great find, Louis.”

Gray hung up and Louis pocketed his phone. The son could well exist. After hearing all the rumors, they could now have solid evidence, and if he was Maxim’s son then he was playing a dangerous game. If Maxim found out about the human, who knew how he would react. Whoever the vampire was, he had to be careful.