Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Though I wanted to ask what the vampire meant, I refused to give him the satisfaction of letting him know that his statement bothered me. He could try to turn this around on us, but at the end of the day, the damage was done. Even if he tried to take back his support, he’d obviously still claim that I owed him for the time they’d voted to hear me out when Griffin had been on trial by Dick, and then for helping us fight Saga. What was one more favor at this point?
Forcing my legs to continue to move without faltering, I pretended the prince hadn’t said anything. If he saw that his words affected me, there was no telling what he’d do.
Vampires enjoyed manipulating and messing with their victims.
And the king and prince were just like all the other vampires I’d met or heard stories about, which had been my fear. I should’ve known that they weren’t any different and would want something in return for their help.
Rosemary rushed after me and touched my arm, making me still. She said softly, “I’ll fly back over there. You two go on without me.”
“Okay, be safe.” I nodded. She’d been spending most of her time with us, so I understood. “Let me know if you need us.”
“I will.” She patted my arm awkwardly, then headed back to her mother.
It might be better if she didn ’ t try to be affectionate. Griffin chuckled as we stepped into the lobby. I think she feels more uncomfortable trying than just being her standoffish self.
Do not say anything to her. For her to want to connect with me in a more human way meant so much to me. It emphasized how important I was to her, and she probably didn’t even realize it. I tried not to push her too hard, either, because even though I was more affectionate to her, I understood not wanting to be too touchy-feely. I was only comfortable hugging those who were close to me.
Griffin rolled his eyes but kissed my cheek. Fine, but only because you enjoy it.
When we stepped outside, the sky was still dark, but I wasn’t tired at all. Adrenaline still pumped through me.
The sickly sweet scent of vampires hit my nose from where the king and prince had walked in moments ago. The unease I’d felt flooded back.
Griffin walked to my door and opened it. Hey, are you okay? His concern washed over me like a wave against the sand.
I ’ m just ready to go home and have you hold me. I’d tell him about the vampires, just not tonight. We’d already endured too much. All I knew was that with Griffin by my side and with our packs and friends, we could get through anything.
We had to.
I climbed into the car and tried to smile, but my mate studied me. He pressed. You avoided the question, so that worries me. What happened? He stood there, not budging.
He wasn’t going to let it go, so I filled him in on what Alex had said on our way out.
Damn bloodsuckers , he growled as he slammed the door and marched over to the driver’s side. Let ’ s get the hell out of this forsaken place. He jumped in the car and had us heading back to Shadow Ridge within seconds.
Shadow City was supposed to be this glorious place that people coveted, but the harsh reality was that it was cruel and the opposite of what it should be. Something had to change, but it wasn’t going to happen overnight. It would take time and, unfortunately, political strategy.
But until we could change things, I felt exactly like Griffin—I didn’t want to stay here any longer than we had to. All we seemed to have inside were enemies within the different races. Hell, even the shifters were segregated. We were supposed to represent the bears, birds, cats, and everyone else, but the only interactions I’d had were with the ones who had attacked us.
As soon as we pulled back onto the bridge heading to Shadow Ridge, some of the tension left my body. I hadn’t even realized how stressed I’d been until that moment.
The moon was high in the sky, and as we drove through the dark and bare downtown, it almost felt like Griffin and I were the only ones awake. I closed my eyes and enjoyed the warmth of his hand on my thigh.
There was no telling what we’d be walking into once we reached the house, so I took advantage of the peace of the moment.
This is how it should always be. Griffin’s voice practically purred in my head. I don ’ t think I ’ ve ever felt you this relaxed before.
Relaxed was pushing it—there was still so much churning inside me—but I actually felt like I could breathe for once. I ’ m just trying to enjoy a moment of peace before walking back into that nightmare. I hated that the woods surrounding our home were now full of bad memories. There should be good ones there of us all hanging out and running in the woods together. Maybe day by day, we’d make more good memories to help drown out the bad.
The rest of the car ride passed in silence, and when we took the sharp turn into our neighborhood, I sat upright. We passed by several Craftsman-style homes before turning into Griffin’s driveway.
When we walked in through the garage, I was surprised to find Killian, Sierra, and Cyrus already there. Cyrus stood next to the living room window, looking outside, while Killian and Sierra sat on the couch.
“Is everything okay?” My body tensed, but I managed to remain calm because the three of them didn’t seem to be alarmed.
“We just finished burying the dead.” Killian yawned.
“Already?” Griffin asked with surprise. “There were so many.”
“With the silver wolves, the Shadow City guards, and my pack working together, we managed to get everything accomplished in record time,” Killian said, and pointed at Cyrus. “And that man is a natural leader.”
That I already knew. He’d trained all those guards, and none of them would’ve listened to him if he hadn’t earned their respect. He was born to be a leader even if he wasn’t the alpha. A lot of wolves thought you had to be an alpha to lead, but that wasn’t true. An alpha couldn’t oversee everything at all times—that was setting a pack up for failure. An alpha was only as strong as the rest of the pack. “I’m not surprised.” I walked to Cyrus and squeezed his arm. “He reminds me of our father in a lot of ways.”
“Really?” His silver eyes lightened to almost white.
“You’d know if I were lying.” I dropped my hand, not wanting him to feel uncomfortable. We were finally moving in the right direction, so I didn’t want to push too hard and fast and ruin it. “Where are the other silver wolves?” I glanced outside to find a bare backyard.
“They went back to the houses that our father had purchased to move to.” Cyrus chewed on his bottom lip. “They want to head home in the morning to get the rest of the pack. They’re tired of being split up.”
I wasn’t sure I could afford to leave right now when things were so unstable. If we ran, Azbogah and his angel followers could come after us. “Like permanently back?”
“No.” Cyrus ran a hand through his hair. “They’re moving to the new land…Dad was working on. They… we want to stay close to you. They only went home to get their stuff for the move. We all want this pack to stay together, and we understand now that Shadow City needs us, too. We’re stronger together than apart.”
I had to agree with that. “I don’t know if I can leave right now.”
“Then let me do it,” Cyrus said eagerly. “Let me help you. I’ve done so much to hurt you—I want to make it up to you and be there for our people. Losing Bart and almost dying, it puts a lot of things into perspective.”
“Okay.” I nodded and smiled. “If that’s what you want, then I’m okay with you taking over Bart’s role.”
Babe , Griffin asked with concern, are you sure that ’ s a good idea? I mean, he does seem different, but —
He is. I can feel it. Our twin bond hummed with a new kind of energy that didn’t seem tarnished. The darkness that had surrounded him was gone, as if things were finally clear to him for the first time.
Then I can ’ t argue with that. Griffin’s worry lessened, though it didn’t completely vanish. I just want our packs in good hands.
Our packs. I’d never heard him say that, and honestly, I hadn’t said it, either, but I liked the sound of it. He was completely right. We were mated, and our packs needed both of us. And I love you for it.
“You want me to take over as their leader?” Cyrus beamed. “Are you sure?”
“I’m positive.” It made sense for him to lead and report to me when I couldn’t be in two places at once. “I think Bart would like that, too.” My heart ached at the thought of my uncle, whom I hadn’t gotten to know nearly well enough. “Where is he buried?”
“Close by, between here and the new pack neighborhood.” Cyrus nodded toward the woods. “Under a large, strong tree. I talked to our cousin—Bart’s daughter—and she wanted him buried where she could visit his grave when they get here.”
That sounded perfect. Bart was tall and strong, so he should be buried in a place that mirrored him. “Will you take me in the morning?” I wanted to leave flowers and say goodbye.
“Right before the rest of the silver wolves and I head out to get the rest of the pack.” Cyrus nodded.
“Guys, I’m not trying to whine here, but…” Sierra started.
“You’re gonna?” Killian jabbed.
Sierra stuck her tongue out at him. “Oh, you think you’re funny stuff, don’t you?”
“Well…” Killian patted his chest. “When you’re as good as me—”
“Oh, God.” Sierra gagged and pretended to dry heave. “Please don’t make me vomit.”
“You better not throw up on our rug.” Griffin’s face twisted in disgust. “If you vomit, your ass is going to be buying Sterlyn and me a new one.”
Cyrus chuckled beside me, making me grin.
“Anyway.” Sierra sighed. “I’m too amped up to go to bed, so I say it’s television time.”
“Yes, and we’re going to watch Die Hard ,” Killian said and pointed at Griffin. “Am I right?”
“Hell, yeah.” Griffin sat on the loveseat and looked at me while he patted the open spot beside him. “It’s our turn.”
“We haven’t voted.” Sierra’s mouth dropped. “Where’s Rosemary?”
“Not here yet.” Griffin chuckled. “So three guys to two girls. We win. Turn that shit on.”
“Cyrus, don’t you wanna watch How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days ?” Sierra pouted like she thought that would make him agree.
“Uh, that’s a huge no.” Cyrus leaned against the wall and arched an eyebrow. “I’m with them. Die Hard .”
“Maybe you’re all right after all,” Griffin said, and smiled at my brother.
At my mate’s approving words, Cyrus’s happiness flowed into me. I linked with Griffin, Thank you. That made his day.
I meant it. Griffin patted the spot next to him once more. And I need you here now.
Not wanting to waste another second away from him, I hurried across the room and sat as he slipped his arm around my shoulder.
“It’s about damn time.” Killian grabbed the remote and turned on the television and movie.
“This is not fair.” Sierra crossed her arms and leaned back in the chair. “This was not how it was supposed to go.”
“Oh, stop.” I had to give Killian and Griffin credit. They’d been watching a ton of movies they didn’t want to see. It was time they had their turn.
The sound of flapping wings rose outside the back door. Cyrus jumped up and ran to open it, and Rosemary came walking in.
She glanced at the television, and her brows furrowed. “What are we watching? That doesn’t look like something Sierra chose.”
“That’s because you weren’t here, and I got outvoted.” Sierra’s eyes lit up. “But you’re here now, so that means we can revote.”
Rosemary’s head tilted as she watched the beginning of the movie.
“Tell them you want to watch something else.” Sierra clapped, expecting to get her way.
“Actually, this kind of looks interesting.” Rosemary walked over and took the spot between Killian and Sierra, her eyes glued to the screen.
“What?” Sierra gasped. “I couldn’t have heard you right.”
Killian leaned forward and winked at Sierra as he said, “You lose. Now shut up and enjoy the show.”
My cheeks hurt from smiling so widely, and I snuggled into Griffin’s arms.
Everything was going to be all right. Cyrus would lead the silver wolves, and Griffin and I would change things in Shadow City. With the people here in this room, I knew we could get through anything that came our way. As long as we were together.
There are still mysteries around Sterlyn and the silver wolves that have not yet been answered. Read the next book in the Shadow City World, which will continue to unravel the secrets for Sterlyn and her friends, by clicking here for Cursed Mate, Book One, in the Shadow City: Royal Vampire Trilogy or continue on for a sneak peek of chapter one.
This trilogy centers around Alex’s love story, including how he plans to use the favors he collected from Sterlyn.