Chapter 5
Lucie looked up at Jasper in shock, then back at her parents. She could tell by her father’s eyes that wasn’t going to happen, but she wasn’t the only one who noticed.
“Lucie will be joining us at the end of the summer. These next couple of months will be her last months in her pack. Not only does she need this time, but her parents do too. Don’t worry, Jasper.
She is well protected here. You think that overgrown pup she has for a father will let anyone touch her?
And her mother is even scarier.” Jester winked at Freja and Hunter.
“Then may I ask permission to stay here and watch over her?” Jasper asked, keeping his eyes on Hunter. “I will need to go back and consult with Derrick, but I think he’ll want me to keep her safe as well.”
Hunter nodded his head. “Of course. You’re always welcome here. Your presence will be appreciated. And I don’t mind having another strong warrior around, especially one looking after my little girl.”
“I don’t exactly need to be looked after.”
“Forget it, Lucie. I don’t need to be looked after either, but your father still watches over my every move.
” Freja smiled at her daughter knowingly.
She understood both sides. And while Lucie was an excellent fighter, which she knew firsthand since she trained her in hand-to-hand combat, she was very important, so it didn’t hurt to have eyes on her.
Aedan walked up closer and looked down at the body on the ground. Harley, Destiny, and her parents, Jin and Chasen, approached as well.
“Who is it? I don’t recognize her,” Aedan said, looking up at his father.
“She was found in the woods by patrol. We’re not sure who she is,” Hunter said, shaking his head. “I don’t know if she was visiting us or if she just happened to be near our territory.” He then turned to look at the man beside Destiny.
“What do you think, Harley? Is this the work of a demon?” Harley was the son of an original demon. If anyone could recognize the handiwork of one, it was him.
“Not one that I know of right offhand. But these wounds seem very peculiar. The bites look like a vampire’s, but this isn’t how vampires attack.
Unless this is some new sport.” Harley stared at the remains, frowning.
“And honestly, the body is so mutilated that it’s hard to tell.
I think that’s what they were going for.
Unless whatever did this has actually gone feral.
I’ll put some of my men on this. See if they can turn anything up. ”
“We’ll also speak with our king and queen. My brother will want to investigate this, especially if someone is trying to pin the blame on vampires.” Jester frowned. “Derrick will want to know about this too. Especially with this happening so close to his future bride.”
Chasen sighed and looked over at Harley. He was feeling apprehensive knowing his daughter would be leaving his side tonight and he wouldn’t be there to protect her.
Harley could easily read Chasen’s mind. He smiled at him. “You know she’s actually safer with me than she is with the pack, right? And I won’t be letting her out of my sight for a second.” He looked down at Destiny, who was frowning.
“Maybe I should stay. The pack may need my help,” Destiny said quietly.
“No,” Chasen and Harley said simultaneously.
“On second thought, I think it’s a good idea to get her out of here. If she’s here, she’ll be out trying to fight,” Chasen said, shaking his head. “You’re right, Harley. She will be safer with you.”
Hunter listened to their conversation and glanced at Lucie. If he sent Lucie to the vampires, she wouldn’t have the opportunity to get involved. She would be safe there while they figured this threat out.
“Don’t even think about it.” Lucie looked up and met her father’s silver gaze. “I’m not leaving my pack right now.”
“I’m just thinking—”
“I know what you’re thinking, Dad. And the answer is no. I’m staying here.” She folded her arms across her chest. “And I’m helping.”
“Lucie—” Hunter began, but she immediately interrupted him.
“Are you letting Aedan help?” Lucie could see it in her father’s eyes. Aedan would be helping with patrols. “Right. Exactly. And how many in this pack are stronger than me?”
“That’s not the point, Lucie.” Hunter rubbed his forehead.
“Lucie is an asset to our pack. She has been well trained, and there is no reason she can’t help.” Freja winked at her daughter. “Whatever is doing this isn’t stronger than her.”
“We don’t know what we’re dealing with yet to be able to assume something like that.” Hunter frowned at his queen.
“No, we don’t. All the more reason to keep Lucie safe and near us.” Freja smiled at Hunter and raised her eyebrow, challenging him. When he didn’t say anything, she turned her attention back to Lucie. “Tomorrow, we’ll get the daggers out and work more on your hand-to-hand combat training.”
“And another huntress is born.” Jester chuckled and looked at Jasper. “Let’s head back. Get the things you need to stay here with her until either this is sorted out or it’s time for her to move.”
Jasper, who had kept a protective arm on Lucie, looked down at her. “Look, I’m coming right back tomorrow, so just stay here in the pack territory where it’s safe until I get back. Please.”
Lucie smiled up at him. “You’re all acting like an army has attacked our pack.
This is a random attack that happened to an isolated individual.
I’m not in danger here. I’m fine. Not to mention I am not easy prey.
I am the predator.” Her eyes changed to the color of her wolf briefly, and she nudged him with her shoulder.
“You don’t have to move here to watch over me. ”
Jasper smiled. “I know I don’t have to, but I want to. And I know Derrick will feel better with me here as well.”
“You can bunk up with me, Jasper!” Aedan said grinning. “With Destiny leaving, the tide is turning. The men are overtaking the women in the packhouse.”
“Sorry about your luck there, Jasper. Aedan snores.” Lucie giggled, biting her bottom lip.
Jasper chuckled and then glanced at the body on the ground as it was covered.
“I think you need to be very cautious, Lucie. I personally think there’s more to this.
” He looked back at Hunter and Jester. “To me, it seems like someone is trying to make these killings look like vampire attacks. Someone is trying to drive a wedge between our species. Someone who may not want this union to happen.”
Hunter nodded. “Freja and I are already suspicious of this as well. All the more reason we need to get to the bottom of these mysterious attacks.”
Jasper sighed. “If that really is the case …”
“I know, Jasper.” Hunter quickly cut him off. “We already know.”
“We’ll need to discuss this with the Vampire King and Queen, as well as Derrick. But I think we’re all starting to turn to the same page,” Jester said, looking at Freja and Hunter, who both nodded their heads sadly.
“Hi, what book are you reading so I can follow along?” Lucie teased but then noticed their serious expressions land on her. She looked over at Aedan. Well, he looked to be just as lost as she was, which didn’t put her in good company.
“We’re thinking it might be a good idea to move the wedding date up. Maybe even plan for it to be in a couple of weeks. The sooner we form your union, the better. These attacks may even stop on their own.” Freja looked into her daughter’s eyes.
“Oh,” Lucie said quietly. She kept telling herself the wedding was still far away, that she still had until the end of the summer.
But now the reality of it all was hitting her.
Something she always knew and talked about was now very real.
Being the true leader she was, she quickly buried her inner feelings deep inside herself and looked at her parents confidently.
“If there’s a chance that moving the marriage ahead will benefit our two species, then do whatever is necessary. ”
Aedan scoffed loudly, making everyone look over at him.
“If we have an enemy, I’d like to see who it is instead of just making them give up and fade away to come and attack another day.
Moving the marriage up may stop the attacks for now, but not in the long run.
I don’t like these tactics. I say we set up a trap for our enemies and flush them out. ”
Freja smiled and turned to look at Hunter. She preferred just jumping in and getting her hands dirty too. Find the enemy, slit their throats, and move on. It had been years since she put her huntress clothes to good use, and she wouldn’t mind hunting a new target once again.
Hunter nodded his head toward his son. “I understand how you feel, but I think something like this needs to be discussed among our allies. Your grandparents will be here tomorrow, and we may need to meet with the vampires soon. You must understand, son, that we have allies, and the choices we make could affect them. We may need to reach out to the dragons as well if this continues.” Hunter rubbed his forehead.
“I don’t want to make a big deal out of something that might not be.
We could be dealing with just one person who is responsible for these killings.
I think we should start by trying to gather evidence.
Freja and I will go to the area where the attack took place and look for clues.
“Jester, let me know what your brother thinks about this as well. You can send word back with Jasper when he returns. Let’s not make any major decisions until we have more information.”
Hunter gave Lucie a small smile. He’d been getting reports about these strange attacks, which seemed to be happening more often. So while he was on high alert, there was no evidence it was anything large-scale. It could be nothing more than a rogue vampire.
“Why don’t you have Aedan and me do a perimeter run?” Justice asked. He knew the party was basically over after all of this.
Chasen chuckled. “For now, just stay put. I’ll be going out with Hunter and Freja to check things out. You stay here and keep your mother company.”
“Hey!” Jin protested. “Who here is Hunter’s partner?
Yep, that would be me. I’m coming too.” Jin giggled and shook her head.
All these years together and he was still extremely protective over her.
She was a wind demon, and years and years ago, right before the demon war, she’d gifted Hunter with her wind abilities. It seemed like a lifetime ago.
“Justice, you’re staying here with Aedan and Lucie. Destiny, you make sure you call me once you make it to your new place, okay? And you’d better stay in touch.” Jin wagged her finger at her daughter.
“Don’t worry, I will.” Destiny looked up at Harley, who smiled down at her. “Ready to head home?”
Harley grinned widely. “Let’s go home.”
“Lucie, I’ll call you tomorrow so we can have some girl talk.” Destiny waved goodbye to her cousin. It wasn’t a real goodbye, since she could visit whenever she wanted. But it was just that the Black Ice Pack would no longer be her home.
Lucie waved goodbye to her cousin as she left with Harley. The two of them looked so happy together. Harley’s eyes were always following Destiny, as if she were his center.
She knew her duty and would go through with it. But deep inside, she wondered what it felt like to have a fated mate. She couldn’t imagine what it felt like, but she could see what it looked like. And she wanted it.
“Lucie.”
Jasper’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts and she met his gaze. He placed his hand on her head and smiled down at her.
“I’ll be back for you tomorrow. I’ll bring back the answer on how long it takes for paint to dry, too.” Jasper winked at her and chuckled slightly.
“Safe travels.”
Jasper and his parents disappeared in a blur.
They were incredibly fast and could cover great distances quickly.
Of course, if she shifted into her lycan, she would be just as fast. She still wasn’t sure how it would be, living among vampires as a lycan.
His parents tested her blood once because it was hard to detect her vampire side.
They told her that her blood was almost silent.
When her blood was spilled, though, there was no mistaking the pure scent from it.
Her mother Freja had original vampire blood in her.
It remained very strong despite her mixed genetics, and apparently in her children as well.
This was one of the reasons Lucie was wanted as the mate of the vampire prince.
They wanted to strengthen the vampire’s bloodlines.
A child from her union with the prince would create an even stronger vampire.
Aedan walked over to Lucie, with Justice at his side. “Well, Mom and Dad left. What sort of trouble do you want to get into?”
“Oh, you guys didn’t hear?” Gia said as she skipped up to them from a distance.
“Hear what?” Justice asked.
“Oh, just that a group of werewolves snuck outside the border to try to catch the apparent killer on the loose.”
Aedan swore under his breath. “Damn it. Who all went?”
“Some classmates of Justice’s and some of the juniors.”
“Alright, let’s bring them back,” Aedan growled. “Gia, stay with Lucie.”
Gia smirked as the boys ran off in the distance, then turned and looked at Lucie. “Well, he told me to stay with you, so wherever you lead, I’ll follow.”