CHAPTER TWO
"E amon, we got trouble here at the station. We need you here and you should probably bring Sean as well." Alin Murphy one of the new deputies under the new Sheriff Marius Wellstone sounded agitated and scared.
Sean and his mate Lowell were over. They'd had dinner and were now watching a movie Lowell had recommended. Eamon motioned for Sean to come with him as they headed for the door. Sean kissed Lowell and told him he'd be back as soon as he could. Lowell told him he'd meet him at home and waved him off.
They had a lovely relationship that was solid and respectful, as every bond should be. Lowell was human, but he understood Sean's position and his responsibility to the pack and never made it an issue between them. Sean was a lucky man, and so was Lowell.
“What’s it about?” Sean asked as they got into Eamon’s Jeep.
“That was Alin at the station apparently they picked up a vampire in our territory tonight and the officers involved became a little overzealous.” Eamon raised an eyebrow as he glanced over at Sean who was shaking his head.
"That doesn't sound good, Eamon."
"Hopefully, it was just an innocent trespass, and hopefully, those brain-dead deputies didn't do him any harm." Eamon's tone got harsher with each word.
“The last thing we need right now is to go to war with a vampire coven.” Sean pointed out the obvious.
Eamon entered the station, and the officers stood around watching as if they were expecting something major. That reaction told Eamon that whatever the deputies did to the detained vampire, it wasn't good or necessary. Sheriff Wellstone came out of his office to meet them and brought them up to speed on what had taken place.
"He's a vampire, so I doubt that he's badly hurt," Eamon stated and then added. "The deputies were stupid, and I want them off the streets immediately, but I don't think this will become a bigger issue." Eamon made his assessment based on the information. "Release the man and apologize if you have no reason to detain him. Did you clear him of the trespassing? What were his reasons for not announcing his presence?" Eamon wanted a clear picture.
"I haven't gotten a clear picture of why, but I'm assuming it was a shortcut home, and he probably assumed since it was late, he could get through undetected. It would have most likely worked if he hadn't experienced car trouble." The Sheriff was calm and clear, but Eamon detected a shade of uneasiness in his demeanor.
"What aren't you telling me, Marius?" Eamon asked as Sean moved into the outer room and began scanning the area. There was a pervasive uneasiness in the air, and they both felt it. Sean nodded to Eamon and started toward the back cell where the vampire was being held.
“His name is Troy Florin, and he is from the Denver Coven.” Eamon stared at the Sheriff for several seconds as the name sank in.
“Florin.” He repeated the name, and the Sheriff nodded.
“Yes, sir.”
“How badly is he injured?”
"Bates roughed him up pretty good it will take him a while to recover, but he's strong, and he's pissed."
“Understandable.”
"I sent Bates and Mason, the other deputy involved, home for the evening after making the gravity of the situation clear to them." Sheriff Wellstone was rightfully concerned.
“They didn’t recognize the name?” Eamon was confused by their behavior.
"They claim that they did not. I believe Mason, but Bates was born and raised here, so it's unlikely that he didn't know him."
"I need to speak to your prisoner, Sheriff." Eamon turned and headed for the door. This could go so fucking bad, or perhaps it could be smoothed over with an apology. He wasn't looking forward to apologizing to a vampire, especially not a member of the Denver Coven.
That Coven proved to be a pain in his ass, just as it was for his predecessor. They were forever pressing on Pack borders and pushing for more freedom of access to amenities within Pack territory. The wolves preferred to keep the vampires at arm's length since their reputation for violence was well known, and that was how they came to be the ruling Coven in Denver. Their Master was ruthless and powerful, but it was his second, a man named Castille Florin, that people really feared.
"His name is Troy Florin," Eamon spoke to Sean.
"Any relation to Castille?" Sean asked, his words as tense as Eamon was feeling.
"His younger brother and only living relative." Eamon pointed out. "He was breaking the law by trespassing, but the beat down by Bates was grossly out of line and not how such affronts are handled." Eamon turned to regard Sean with a tired expression. "Yeah, Castille is going to want payback, which is not what I wanted to be dealing with right now. This could blow up into a very lengthy and tiresome conflict."
"Perhaps Troy can be reasoned with, and we could have him happy and on his way before Castille Florin is aware there is a problem," Sean suggested.
"It's worth a shot." Eamon agreed, and they headed for the cell in the back of the large room. The officers around them stood back while Sheriff Wellstone followed them to the cell. Eamon was irritated at the stupidity of the act and planned to bust both Bates and Mason down to street cleaners. He didn't need imbeciles like them on the front lines.
The closer he got to the large cell the more he noticed his heart rate increasing and his breath becoming rapid pants. It was as if he were anticipating something important or concerning and not just the implications of Castille Florin. He was a hard pill for certain, but not something Eamon could not handle. This was something else, it felt like excitement.
It struck him as urgent, and he needed to get to the cell and not waste time. Sean side-eyed him at least once, obviously picking up on the urgency he was feeling. The moment the cell came into view, and the slender young man with angry eyes and gorgeous dark blond hair looked at him, Eamon knew his future was fucked, but in the best way possible.
Recognition rocketed through him and the young man jumped to his feet and took several steps toward the bars but held himself back. His eyes burned into Eamons as he approached. Eamon took in every inch of the man and every nuance of emotion and reaction reading him from top to toe and loving every bit of him. This young man, this drop dead gorgeous vampire was his mate.
It was when he noticed the cuts and bruises and the tears to his clothing that Eamon felt his attitude turn darker and an anger started growing deep in his core. How dare anyone lay their hands upon this man. Eamon stood in front of the cell door and reached his hand through the bars.
"I am Eamon Coles, Alpha of the Salida Wolf Pack." He introduced himself. The vampire remained still and cautious for a few seconds but then stepped forward and took his hand, holding it firmly in his.
“Troy Florin from the Denver Coven and I answer to Master Eric Delarosa.” Eamon noticed the vampire showing itself slightly in Troy’s expression but was suppressed quickly. Eamon was well aware that his own wolf was also pushing to the surface to get a look at their mate.
"Are you okay? Do you need to see a doctor?" Eamon continued to hold Troy's hand, not ready to release it just yet, and Troy didn't seem to mind.
“Yeah, I’m alright.” He said and gripped Eamon’s hand tighter while staring at him hard. Eamon turned to the Sheriff.
“Open this door.” He demanded and one of the deputies rushed up and unlocked the door and Eamon wasted no time swinging it open. They had to release their grip temporarily but as soon as the door was open Eamon stepped in and put his arm around Troy’s shoulders drawing him closer in an embrace that was both possessive and protective. His reaction seemed to surprise those in the room with him.
Everyone except Sean looked at him speculatively wondering as to his plan. Sean smiled at him clearly picking up on the connection between them. “I’m taking Troy with me.” He announced and then checked with Troy. “You have any problem coming with me. We’ll clear this up and then get on with more important matters.” His meaning was clear and he followed the statement with a smile. It was the smile that cracked the stiff reserve that Troy had been holding onto.
"More important matters." He cocked an eyebrow suspiciously, but there was a soft smile on his lips. "Sounds intriguing."
“I’m taking Mr. Florin to the Pack House.” He told them as he held onto Troy and directed him to the side door.
"I'll stay and take care of the paperwork and any angry brothers that may show up," Sean told him with that same knowing smile.
“You know that you’re safe with me.” Eamon wanted to make sure that Troy understood that he meant him no harm he only wanted to get him away from the people who had mistreated him. He and his wolf wanted Troy with him where he could be adequately protected.
"I know that I am safe," Troy assured him. "I can take care of myself, Eamon. I'm not as helpless as I may appear."
“I don’t doubt that for a second.”
Troy wasn't sure what was happening. He knew what was happening in the sense that he knew Eamon Coles, the Alpha of the Salida Pack, was his beloved, but he didn't know how the man was handling the news. His reaction made it clear that he recognized Troy as his mate, but he didn't say anything. He kept the realization between them.
All his men were standing around staring, and Eamon did not claim him; instead, he remained quiet on the subject. Troy wasn't about to look like a fool, so remained quiet as well. The Alpha was clearly not pleased by Fate's choice. Eamon was a handsome wolf, large and muscled, with a face that saw much through his life. He was a hard man but appeared to be fair and respected. He was the new Alpha and formerly lead enforcer, so he had to fight for everything that he had.
Having a pretty boy vampire as his mate must not have been on his list of goals. Troy wasn’t sure how he was going to handle this, but he would not be kept a secret or stay in a relationship that expected him to hide. Eamon kept his arm around him and led him to a large Jeep.
"I know I didn't explain myself, but I thought it would be better if we spoke in private." Eamon opened the door, and Troy climbed into the passenger seat. That statement did not make him feel any better about the prospects of becoming Alpha Mate.
Eamon was new to his position, and he wouldn’t jeopardize the support that he had by bringing in a vampire mate. This little discussion was going to be it’s not you it’s me sort of conversation and then a quick goodbye Troy could feel it in the air.
Troy felt his heart break just a little bit, but that was life. Not everyone got happily ever after. He remained silent as Eamon got into the driver's seat. His scent was utterly intoxicating, and Troy struggled not to respond to it. This was going to be a long and devastating night.
“I’m sorry for the way you were treated. Bates and Mason have been removed from their positions as deputies.”
“Mason didn’t touch me, and he tried to control Bates but unsuccessfully.” Troy told him but did not turn to look at him and kept his attention forward.
"I'll make sure that's put into his file. There is a protocol that they both should have followed, but they chose not to. It is better that they no longer hold positions of power." Eamon explained, and it made sense, but Troy was still hurting from the snub, so at present, nothing Eamon said was going to be okay.
Troy didn’t respond he simply turned and looked out the side window. Eamon started the vehicle, and they were soon on their way. Eamon handed him a manilla envelope once they were on the road. “Your things.” He said and Troy took the envelope and pulled out his phone and other personal items.
He noticed that Castille had called several times and had texted asking for his whereabouts. He shot back a quick text saying he had car trouble and would be home in the morning. Castille returned the text immediately.
“Where are you staying?”
"I'm in Salida, but I'm okay. I'll head home in the morning or as soon as my car is repaired." He tried to sound light and unbothered.
“I’m coming to get you.”
"No, don't, it's not necessary. I promise I'll text you in the morning and let you know when to expect me."
"I don't like it, Troy." His brother was not one to mince words.
“I’m okay Castille they’re treating me like any tourist with car trouble.” That was a stretch, but it sounded good.
“I don’t like it.” He reiterated louder.
“I’ll see you in the morning.” Troy turned off his phone and placed it in his pocket.
“Was that your brother?” Eamon asked.
“Yes, he was worried about me.”
“And rightly so.”
“I told him I had car trouble and was staying the night in Salida and would see him in the morning.” Eamon shot him a quick but pointed glance.
"We have a lot to discuss," Eamon stated, pulling into a driveway and parking next to a large country home.
“I think we will be able to take care of things quickly enough and I can be out of here by morning. Since our issue doesn’t seem to be something you wish to acknowledge.” Troy let a bit of his anger seep into his words. He stopped talking and got out of the vehicle. Eamon followed and quickly rounded the front of the Jeep to stand in front of Troy.
"What do you mean by that?" He demanded, but Troy was not in the mood to play this game.
"How about we agree to pretend this never happened, and I'll call my brother to come and get me. There, problem solved, and your precious pack will never know that your mate is a vampire." Troy went ahead and spewed the hurt he was feeling. Shit, he never could hold back when his emotions got involved.
"What in the fuck are you talking about?" Eamon reached out to take him by the upper arm, but Troy backed away.
“I don’t know why you brought me here you could have just warned me off and sent me on my way.” Troy sniped and Eamon kept looking more and more confused. Eamon took a deep breath and held out his hand to Troy who refused to take it. Eamon then motioned toward the front door and started in that direction. Troy hesitated for a moment and then followed. He’d hear him out and then he could be on his way.