CHAPTER FIVE #2
Jackals were deadly creatures, and these three were angling for a fight. Jackals always overestimate their own abilities and these three were about to learn the dangers of overestimating.
"These men hired us to take them to the falls. I think it's high time that more people see and appreciate the wonder of those falls don't you wolf?" He taunted. He was talking just to hear himself speak and kept advancing a half step at a time.
Lev didn't respond and didn't wait, he moved forward and, without a word, shifted just as the jackals did the same. They weren't as fast, and Lev caught the one on the left in a half shift and took out its throat with a swipe of his deadly claws.
The other two started circling him in hopes of getting him off balance, but they were too clumsy. Also, Lev noticed a couple of wolves approaching from behind the jackals. He recognized Mykel and Demitri, his lead enforcer. The jackals were already dead; they just didn't know it yet.
The leader lunged at Lev, who took the hit and twisted him to the ground, holding him there as he scrambled and tried to slash him with his claws.
The other one was about to leap on Lev's back when Mykel rammed into his side, sending him flying.
He was no longer a concern for Lev. Mykel and Demitri finished him quick and clean.
Lev then went to stand with his mate. He was still in his wolf form, but it did not bother Kyle.
He stayed behind Lev, knowing Lev and his wolf were there to protect him.
The Jackal freed himself and quickly retreated before making another run at Lev. He took uncoordinated swipes at him and snapped wildly, but Lev just moved to the left a little, and the beast stumbled and landed in the dirt.
They were large and strong but piss poor fighters one-on-one unless their opponent was half their size. Lev leapt onto his back and sank his teeth into the soft flesh of his neck, locking on tightly, biting down, and shaking him violently while digging his claws into his hide.
The Jackal thrashed and howled until the life started to drain from him, and his wounds tore wider and wider.
Lev released him, and when the beast lay dead at his feet.
It wasn't something he wanted his mate to witness, but battles like these were a part of life in the paranormal world, and you had to be prepared to defend your land and your people.
He moved away from the Jackal and started walking to his mate, and as he did so, he shifted mid-step. His brother and Demitri also shifted, turning slightly away so as not to make his mate uncomfortable. Their nudity was natural in wolf culture, but Kyle was not yet acclimated to it.
They spoke after a brief introduction to Kyle, and then they shifted back and took off into the woods.
The two humans had run off when the violence erupted, but they needed to be found.
He approached his mate and noticed that Kyle had kept his gaze averted when Mykel and Demitri were there, but now his eyes were trained on Lev, and they were devouring him.
His mate liked what he saw, and he wasn't shy about it.
He hoped that Kyle held that same lustful expression when looking at him for the entirety of their lives together. It energized and indescribably comforted him, and he never wanted to lose it; he never wanted to lose him. The mate bond was powerful and perfect.
Once back in the SUV, Kyle ventured a few questions; they weren't judgments, for he seemed to understand the necessity of the things that were done.
They were connected now, and he could feel what Lev was feeling just as Lev was completely tuned into Kyle's thoughts and emotions.
The situation was clear but still upsetting.
“Why did those beasts attack you?”
"They're a mercenary breed that will do anything for money.
They have no regard for anyone or anything, so there are no limits on what they will do to get the job done.
Unfortunately, they are often hired for that very reason.
" Lev explained without going too deep. Kyle would learn about jackals over time. They were nasty and everywhere.
“I got the impression that they wouldn’t stop until they were killed.”
"They don't stop." Lev agreed. "If they run away, it's just to get reinforcements, so don't let them run away."
"What about the humans that ran? What will happen to them?" That question came out a little more hesitantly, like he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer.
"We have a method of clearing their minds; it's not as efficient as a vampire memory purge, but it's close." He looked over at Kyle when he failed to comment.
“Vampire?” He said the word with force and surprise.
"Yeah, there's coven all over, even in your small town, but they keep to themselves. We don't have access to their skills."
"Who, who in my town?" He moved closer to Lev, desperate for a name, and Lev laughed.
"Only if you promise not to tell." He teased, and Kyle narrowed his eyes, not at all amused.
"I already agreed to all the secrecy. I know the drill, and you can trust me." He made it clear.
"I do trust you, my love, with my life." He pulled him over and kissed him hard but briefly. "Luc Marchand is the Master Vampire." He told him, and Kyle's eyes widened.
“I guess that makes sense, he's the wealthiest man in town and has his money and influence in everything." Kyle thought about it for a moment. "He lives in a sprawling mansion on the water, but no one I know has ever been there. It's private and secretive."
“It’s the coven house.” Lev filled in for him.
“Is it a large coven?”
“Yes, very large and not isolated to that mansion. He has property and influence throughout the state.”
“Wow, I really have a lot to learn.” Kyle looked out the side window for a few minutes and then changed the subject. "Tell me more about your Pack." Lev was pleased with his interest and his easy approach to processing information.
He was blessed to have such a levelheaded, understanding man as a mate. They talked about the Pack and about Kyle's photography business, sharing and getting a broader understanding of each other. Everything he learned
****
Kyle learned a lot, but he had to admit that finding out that local Financier Luc Marchand was a Master Vampire was the most shocking. It threw him more than finding out that Lev was a wolf shifter or that the forest was filled with paranormal beings.
He never crossed paths with the shifter community or anyone from the forest, but he’d had dealings with Mr. Marchand. Looking back, he tried to see the obvious, but apart from a handsome charm, Marchand looked like any other rich guy.
The path gradually turned back into the two-track road, then it widened and smoothed, and massive stone walls that protected the heart of the Wilder Wolf Pack rose up before them.
Kyle was stunned by the architecture's sophistication and the design's practicality without looking bland.
It was beautiful and leaned art deco, which was Kyle's favorite.
Lev's guards were at the entrance, and others were posted throughout the area.
Lev had patrols twenty-four hours a day.
Lev nodded to the guards and drove into the compound, pulled up to what Kyle assumed was the Pack house, and parked.
The place was constructed of humongous logs and massive stones.
It looked capable of withstanding a missile strike and large enough to house hundreds.
“I like your place.” Kyle wished he could take pictures, but he understood why he could not.
Lev smiled and pulled him close, tucking him under his arm as they made their way inside.
The interior was as large and impressive as the exterior.
He brought him to what Lev called the Great Room, and Mykel was there, but this time he was dressed.
Lev introduced them again, and this time Mykel looked him directly in the eye and shook his hand.
"Welcome, Kyle." He said with a big smile, and Kyle felt a sudden sense of belonging.
He didn't know if it was the acceptance, the mood of the area, the excitement, or was it simply Lev and the love he was showing, so clear and consistent, or maybe. .. it was everything.
They sat, and Lev had coffee and a variety of baked goods brought to them.
The longer he spent with Lev, the surer he was that this was his future.
This life would be interesting and a little dangerous, but he would endure anything to stay by Lev’s side.
All this came to him in a rush, washing over him and leaving him with a sense of certainty he rarely experienced.
"Demitri took the humans to Dr. Reeves, and once their memories have been removed, they will be returned to the parking area where they left their car.
The car has been searched for anything related to the falls, and John has been destroyed.
" He paused and then added. “Ivan is investigating their personal lives and will keep an eye on them for a while and will alert us to any issues that may need our attention.”
"Good job, Mykel.” Lev praised and then turned the conversation to the bigger picture.
“We’ve stopped that leak and the men who confronted Kyle yesterday, but I’m afraid there are too many to handle one at a time.
We need to devise a way to eliminate or discredit the information John shared.
We must stop the continued flow of gossip and rumor before we are inundated with curiosity seekers and those looking to make money off the site. ”
“I came here looking for the falls after listening to John’s tales.
I did not frequent this forest." He gave a half smile, remembering the stories.
"I heard all the scary stories, and rather than run into trouble, I'd decided to stay away.
" He looked at Lev and Mykel, who were listening closely. “But the lure of John’s tales became too much, and I decided to brave it.”