CHAPTER 16
“Does the sunlight bother you?” Lena asked Gauge.
She’d noticed he didn’t appear to like the bright light, staying inside the house most of the day while the others wandered around.
The dwelling the alpha had chosen for them was set back in a forest of trees.
The serpents could go outside without risk of being seen if someone were to drive by on the main road.
Lena had chosen to remain inside with Gauge.
“UV rays are not pleasant for my kind, but it won’t cause me serious harm.”
Lena, Teo and Gauge were waiting on the front porch of their dwelling for someone to come pick them up.
Samantha and Seraphym had left about a half hour earlier, deciding to walk.
The alpha had told them there was a trail leading through the trees that would bring them to the back of his own home’s property.
Lena thought her uncle and his mate just wanted some alone time.
She wouldn’t mind spending a little alone time with Gauge, but it felt like there was always someone else around.
“What is a bar-bee-cue?” she asked. “Why are we invited?”
Teo answered. “It’s a human thing. They invite family and friends over to eat meat that has been roasted outside. Those invited usually bring side dishes. We are considered guests, Lena. They hold the barbecue to honor us.”
“What kind of meat do they roast?”
“I don’t know,” Teo said, grinning. “It’ll be a surprise, though I imagine it’ll be some type of beef since their alpha raises cattle.”
“We mainly eat fish and creatures caught in the sea back home,” Lena said. “Only rarely do our males hunt inland.” She paused. “Well, except for the Catalan. Since they live in the mountains, they don’t have regular access to the sea.”
“There could be fish at the barbecue too,” Teo said. “I know they eat them regularly on this world.”
“I won’t mind trying their meat,” Lena said.
“Good. I’m sure it’ll be tasty enough.”
“Is that our ride?” Lena asked, nodding toward a vehicle coming down the drive. It wasn’t the same as what the beta had used when he dropped them off. This was much smaller and didn’t have an open bed in the back.
“Looks like it,” Teo replied.
Lena reached up to loop her arm through Gauge’s, hoping he wouldn’t mind. She felt protected standing beside him. Or if truth be known, she felt more than protected, but she didn’t know how to explain her growing fondness for the Hunter.
“How is your jaw?” Teo asked Gauge.
Lena sensed more than felt a slight stiffening in Gauge’s posture. She glanced up, examining the minor swelling beneath his jaw. “Did you get hurt?” she asked, reaching up to feel for herself.
Gauge caught her hand and gently lowered it. “It is nothing for you to worry about, Lena.”
“You should be honest with her, Gauge. I can see the swelling is worse. Your time is running short.”
“Enough!” Gauge growled. “We will discuss this later, Teo.”
“Gauge?” Lena said. “Please tell me what’s wrong. Are you ill?” A sudden chill made her shiver. She hadn’t realized vampires could become sick.
“You could say that,” Teo murmured. “But he doesn’t need to be, if he would only accept the inevitable.”
“I said that’s enough, Teo. I can arrange to have you sent back to the ship if you like.”
Lena stared back and forth between the two, wishing she had the nerve to push Gauge as Teo did. But then the vehicle stopped in front of them and the alpha cat stepped out.
“I saw the two serpents decided to walk so I came myself to pick you up instead of sending Skylar in his truck. My car is a lot more comfortable.” He frowned as he looked between them. “Did I come at a bad time? I can return later if you like.”
“No,” Gauge replied. “We’re ready.” He guided Lena over to a back door, helping her to sit inside. “You sit back with Lena,” he said to Teo, moving to the front himself.
Lena tried not to feel hurt as Teo slipped in beside her. “Don’t worry,” Teo murmured. “He’ll come around. He won’t have a choice.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“We’ll speak later. Try to relax and enjoy the barbecue.”
How was she supposed to relax when Teo had suggested Gauge might be ill?
What could cause a swelling like that in a vampire?
If Gauge were Raiden, she would guess his shaprata had started to mature.
But Gauge wasn’t Raiden, though perhaps vampires went through something similar.
Indeed, she knew very little about their species.
How would she feel if Gauge took a mate?
He would no longer have time for her. And his mate wouldn’t want another female around anyway.
Lena would be left alone; no one there to help soothe her chaotic thoughts when her mind drifted to the past. She turned to stare out the window as her heart started to race and her breathing became a little more erratic.
“Lena, try to relax,” Gauge said, turning to look around the back of his seat. “You are safe here. I won’t leave you until I know you can handle being alone again.”
“You promise,” she whispered.
“Yes.”
“Will you tell me what is wrong with you?” she sent telepathically.
“Not here,” Gauge sent back. “I will tell you later.”
“Promise?” she pushed.
He paused. “Yes, I promise.” Though he did not sound happy about it.
“You need to drop this nonsense, Teo,” Gauge sent telepathically. “You are going to frighten Lena. She will believe I want to sting her.”
“Don’t you?”
“No.” Gauge broke the connection before his tracker could call him on the lie.
A few minutes later, they pulled into the alpha’s long driveway. There were many of their human vehicles parked in an unfenced area near his home. Gauge hoped there wouldn’t be too many people present, aware Lena would not be comfortable in crowds.
Teo climbed out first, then held his hand out to help Lena.
The alpha cat walked around to stand beside them, obviously wanting to say something before they joined the others.
“What has you worried, Raif?” Gauge asked, having also picked up on the cat’s unease.
“The elders are here. I told you earlier they aren’t happy about exposing our presence to humans. I wanted to warn you that they might act a bit snippy. I just . . . don’t want you guys taking offense. They can be assholes, but they’re assholes to everyone, not just to strangers in the pack.”
“I understand their worry, Alpha,” Gauge said.
“If there was a way around this, we would take it, but there’s not.
Djinn have already been exposed. They know their time is short.
Humans need to be alerted so they can do whatever they can to help protect themselves.
They won’t stand a chance if they refuse to work with us.
And the shifters of this world are also in danger.
They will need to listen to their queen if they want to survive this upcoming battle. ”
“Uh, yeah, speaking of the queen. Is she planning to visit us anytime soon? I’ve hesitated to say anything to my people until I learned more about her.
Haven and I aren’t shocked that my people and those of Laizahlia might be related, but I’m not so sure how everyone else is going to handle it.
It’ll be best if the queen is here when I bring it up with my pack. ”
“The queen’s vessel and her friend are both from Earth. The council sent them ahead of us to try to speak with some of Earth’s leaders. We lost contact with them shortly after.”
“Do you think they were hurt?”
“Doubtful. The Umi queen herself can handle anything humans throw at her, but there is also an ancient Hunter with her. For reasons unknown, they are remaining silent, and we need to find out why. Once she is free, I’ll arrange for the queen to come visit you and your people.
Perhaps she can put the minds of your elders at ease.
We will not allow humans to attack your packs. ”
“Yeah, maybe. About the elders, I mean. I wouldn’t hold my breath. You don’t know these assholes like I do.”
“Change is always difficult at first, Alpha. I’m sure your elders struggled to accept a wolf shifter as their alpha’s mate.”
“Yeah, and I’m not sure they’ve fully accepted Haven yet, though she holds her own with them. I’m not worried about my mate. I am worried about the rest of my people. I just need to know what’s going on. You know, what we should expect in the upcoming months.”
“You’ll know as soon as I do,” Gauge said, crossing his fist over his chest. “I give you my word.” They began to walk to the side of the alpha’s home, Gauge and Raif in front. Teo stayed beside Lena close behind them.
“Um, Haven mentioned you were going to be bringing a Raiden prince down to try to find a human mate. Is that still a go? I only ask because I’ll need to prepare my people to meet another alien.”
Gauge sensed the alpha’s unease. “Not at this time, but Aaliyah, who was born on this world, will want to come down with her mate, who is Raiden. Will this be a problem?”
Raif blew softly through his lips. “Hard to say with the elders, but it’s not something we can’t deal with.”
“Good,” Gauge replied. “Life is going to change for shifters and humans alike on this world. They will need to get used to seeing aliens among them. Now, if you don’t mind, I would like to speak to the serpent you mentioned.
I believe you said his name is Aeson. You said he has been to this military base we are going to. ”
“I don’t think Aeson or Faith went inside the base. The Hunter, Xavier, and his tracker are the ones who went in to rescue Aeson’s uncle. Were you able to speak with either of them?”
Gauge shook his head. “No. Xavier is unavailable, and his tracker Leif is still assisting the fae queen in Bodenese. I have no way to contact either one of them.”
“I’ve never heard of Bodenese,” Raif said, frowning. “Is it on Earth?”
“No, another realm. Access is available only through portals. The fae are not a threat to us. We must remain focused on the Umi queen. Without her assistance, I fear we might all be doomed.”
“Okay,” Raif said, rubbing his chin with the back of his hand. “Let me introduce you to the elders first. We might as well get that business out of the way, then I can take you to Aeson and Faith. I know Aeson was looking forward to meeting serpents from the planet Raiden.”
Gauge stopped and turned to face Lena and Teo. “I think it best if you take Lena somewhere else while I meet with the elders.”
“Let me get Haven,” Raif said. “She can show you around and introduce you to some of the others in my pack.” He left them, jogging toward the front of the house.
Gauge noticed the growing panic in her eyes. He stepped closer and reached out to lift her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Lena, I will be within sight at all times. I will never allow anyone to hurt you.”
“I’m fine, Gauge. You can’t protect me all the time. I need to learn to stand on my own. I understand you have work to do. Just go.”
Gauge nodded, turning his attention to Teo. “You stay with Lena while I speak with the elders.” Though she tried not to show it, Gauge could sense the hurt Lena felt. She turned away from him, her eyes guarded as she watched the alpha and his mate approach.
“Hi, Lena,” Haven said. “Did you like the house we arranged for you? You have everything you need?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“You want to come help me get the steaks ready for the grill while the guys talk to the elders? Trust me, you don’t want to be around those old grumps.
All they know how to do is gripe about the modern age and how much better things were when they were in control.
” She leaned forward and winked. “Trust me, it wasn’t. ”
Lena smiled, her posture relaxing. She obviously felt comfortable with the alpha’s mate. “I would like that.” She held up her hand when Teo started to follow. “I’m fine, Teo. You go with Gauge.”
Gauge studied her face for a moment, then nodded. “You know how to reach me if you have need. We won’t be long.”