Chapter 27
The unmistakable sound of a helicopter reached his mind as Mark awakened from the best sleep he’d had in ten years.
His ass clenched at the memory of last night, the delicious soreness there making his erection throb.
He thrust his hips against the soft sheets and moaned, but something more significant interrupted the pleasure.
In a flood of healing that could only come from one place, relief replaced soreness.
His resolve to hold on to that pain after Caster had left lost its power in his wolf’s resurgence.
He reached past the barrier that his companion had retreated to. “We have a lot to figure out, don’t we, buddy?”
The animal responded with a growl, its energy so close he was sure a transformation into full wolf-form wouldn’t be a hardship. The whirring blades of the helicopter grew louder, closer. Was it coming here?
He abandoned the joy of having his strength back and went to the window.
He watched the helicopter grow larger as it landed on the cabin’s front lawn.
Thoughts of Caster and the violence of their encounter last night threatened to bring back his arousal, but he pushed it back.
The presence of the helicopter could only mean they were free to return to the compound, back to the answers he needed.
His underwear, still by the door, was beyond salvaging, and he should shower, but he was too impatient. He dressed in quick movements, further glimpses of last night imposing on his memory as he pulled the door open.
Kyle was in the living room. Caster was not. The tinge of disappointment was unwelcome, but he’d given up on trying to ignore it.
The bodyguard he didn’t want nodded at him. “Good morning.”
Annoyance at the greeting was misplaced, and he shook his head to dislodge it. He had no reason to be angry with Kyle. He mumbled a greeting, noting the twitch of the vampire’s lips. Had he forgotten to guard his thoughts again? He checked. No. That particular wall was in place.
“You need anything before we go?” Kyle nodded towards the helicopter, its blades still, its engine silent.
“No. Where’s Caster?” He cringed. Why would he need to know that?
Kyle’s smile added to his mortification. “He left early.”
He walked past Kyle toward their transportation, too aware of his intense disappointment. Why did he care? It was best to avoid each other. Last night had proven they couldn’t be in the same room together without fucking, ripping each other apart, or both.
His wolf’s low growl reminded him of its connection to Caster. Why did he choose to reappear only when Caster was around? Mark settled into the helicopter and allowed the whirl of its engines to fill his mind. He refused to think about Caster’s influence on his wolf because it was impossible.
The short trip from the cabin to the house was made longer by Kyle’s obvious scrutiny. He didn’t sense a threat from the vampire, but he had to resist the urge to fidget in his seat under Kyle’s studious stare, his stoic expression giving nothing away.
He found his way from the back of the house, where they’d landed, to the whiteness of the room he couldn’t stand. He’d left his phone here in his haste to get to the study that day, and he grabbed it off the nightstand, ready to call Dean, but the door burst open, and his brother was there.
His brother’s Alpha reached for his wolf, and Mark closed his eyes against the sudden assault. “Would you fucking stop?”
A smile, bright and brilliant, very Dean, seemed out of place, given what they dealt with. The smile fell, replaced by a frown tinged with a teasing expression. “Why do you smell like that?” Dean inhaled, his smile returning. “You had sex.”
He should have showered. A shrug was all his brother would get.
“Who’s the lucky guy?”
Mark was surprised and thrilled he couldn’t tell from the scent. He didn’t relish the idea of having to explain Caster to his brother. He wasn’t sure he understood it enough.
Dean shrugged off his jacket and sat on the couch. “Fine. Don’t tell me.” He lifted his feet to the coffee table and settled into the couch. “But please, take a shower. You reek, and I have news.”
“You’re an asshole.” But he was right. There was no need to give him the chance to figure out whose scent it was.
A few minutes later, Mark walked back into the living area, the towel he used to dry his hair an afterthought. His body hummed with curiosity and the desire to get this over with. He needed to get as far away from Caster as he could.
“Ah! Ready?” Dean nodded at his shirtless torso. “Get dressed. James is almost here.”
He tossed the towel on the bed and grabbed a t-shirt from the closet. His feet remained bare. “He’s coming here?”
“Yeah. Riley never got a chance to put one of his protection spells on you, and I’m not risking you. You stay within these walls until I’m certain the witch is no threat.”
He started to argue, but his brother’s stern determination stopped all thought. If his vengeance was to be satisfied, he needed to learn to pick his battles.
A knock interrupted whatever Dean had been about to say, and James walked in.
His usual attire of a well-tailored suit hid a warrior they’d come to depend on.
The Alpha in him was formidable, almost as formidable as the Prime Alpha, hiding behind easy smiles and charm for miles.
He smiled as he walked in, sharing a hug with Dean.
He was Dean’s go-to guy, best friend, and brother.
He smiled at Mark. “Staying out of trouble?”
Mark shrugged. James knew more than most what he’d endured. He’d arrived in time to save him from meeting the same fate as Zeke. If it hadn’t been for his impeccable timing, Mark would not be here to seek his revenge, and for that, he would always be grateful. “You know me…”
“What did you find?” Dean asked, indicating the living area.
They followed James, who sat on the couch, his demeanor a little cautious. “A lot. A lot of it confusing.” He held Mark’s gaze. “I think I should stay until this is done. And you might want to consider sending Mikey home.”
Mark’s heart beat faster. “Why?”
James didn’t seem afraid. “Just as a precaution. You were right, there is more here. First, Bastian is Damien’s brother, the runt of the litter, a troublemaker.”
“Yeah. Caster told me.”
Dean narrowed his eyes.
“Yesterday. I asked, and he told me.” Mark tried to keep his voice casual. This was not the time to relive that particular experience.
James looked at Dean and then back at him. “OK... Anyway, from what I could find, Caster’s uncle, Damien’s father, is against the treaty. That’s an understatement. He is militant in his objections.”
“Fuck,” Dean said.
“Yeah,” James continued. “I get the sense that the family is split. The king and his brother are not on speaking terms, and as you can guess, Bastian is influenced by his father. Lucien is his name.”
Dean stood, pacing the room. “I know. I met the bastard once. Entitled is the best word that comes to mind.”
“What does this have to do with the witch and me? Why would Bastian attack me?” Mark asked.
The concern on James’s face was warranted, but it was replaced by his usual dependable calm before Mark would analyze it further.
“I have guys working on that still. But I thought you needed to know his connection to the faction of vampires opposed to the treaty. We don’t need another war. And if they’ve allied with the witch…”
It was Mark’s turn to curse. Could that be? It was not unusual for witches and vampires to work together, but this? “Do you think Caster knows?”
Dean’s stare bore into him, but he pushed aside the need to explain himself.
James frowned. “I don’t think he does. It wouldn’t make sense for him to ask for our help if he did. You know how hard he fought for the treaty, Dean.”
Dean nodded. “Yeah. It doesn’t make sense for him to abandon it. Not after everything we went through to get it signed.”
“And there are those amongst our ranks who don’t like it either.” James’s tone remained even despite the implication of his words.
Dean nodded, a faraway look Mark didn’t like on his face.
“We should know more in the coming days.” James’s confidence did not bring the same reassurance it always provided.
“I need to know every wolf who has a problem with the treaty.” There was no mistaking the command in Dean’s tone or the slight undercurrent of uncharacteristic worry.
James’s nod was almost automatic. “I know. Already on it.” Then he stood. “If you’ll excuse me, Julian has asked for me.”
“Damien’s guy? Why?” Dean asked.
James shrugged. “I don’t know. But I suspect he and I may share a mission. I figured we could at least compare notes. I am around, though.” He looked at Mark. “I’m not going anywhere until this is done.”
Mark nodded his acceptance, sure they would need his expertise in battle before long.
A hush fell over the room as he closed the door.
He’d suspected this was more than just the antics of a nuisance witch, but he hadn’t let himself accept it.
Now there was no mistaking it. This was bigger than they knew and had the potential to be more destructive than anyone imagined.