by Jane Perky
Dante snarled, the sound echoing in the tiny vehicle, which only made Crash let out a soft snarl. Six realized what a miracle it was that these two Alphas were friends, even more so that five of them were. Alphas were territorial by nature, wary of competition, but Dante and his friends somehow found a way to live with each other in this town.
Not wanting them to fight on his account, he reached for Dante’s hand and gave it a squeeze. Dante glanced at him and relaxed.
“Six and the baby, they’re mine,” Dante finally said. “My wolf knows it.”
“Your Omega wears the pack tattoo of a particularly problematic pack,” Crash finally said.
“What do you mean by that?” Mark asked.
“It’s okay.” Six had already explained his situation to Dante last night, but the others deserved to know in case Spike came looking for him. He gave Crash and Mark a quick summary of his situation.
“Damn, Six. You’re awesome,” Mark said after.
By that time, they’d reached the parking lot of a diner. He got out, lured by the amazing scent. His stomach rumbled and Mark grinned. “Hungry?”
“I’m always hungry,” he complained.
“Can I feel? Is the baby kicking?” Mark sounded excited.
“He or she’s too small still.”
“We need to schedule an appointment at the shifter clinic,” Dante said. The two Alphas walked ahead. Dante probably sensed he wanted to talk more with Mark.
“Wow. That’s like, new information to process. I always thought Dante was this really irresponsible guy, but he sure can step up when needed, huh?” Mark mused out loud.
“He’s great,” Six said.
“Six, you should join me and the others sometimes. Dante and the others have their weekly boys’ night out. We also have the same thing. You’ll like Joe and Jerry.”
Six counted the pairs in his head. “What about Lee’s mate?”
Mark laughed. “You want to invite a vampire king along?”
He paled. Six knew from Dante that the two dominant groups in town used to be a local wolf pack and a vampire coven, except recently, the power had swayed to the vampires. Did that mean Lee had mated the king of an entire coven?
“So you see,” Mark went on, not noticing his shock. “You’re safe here. Only a fool would mess with five alphas and an entire vampire coven.”
Six only hoped Mark was right.
Chapter Eight
“You sure about this?” Dante asked him a second time. They were in the private clinic specializing in tattoo removals. Six thought about what the doctor had gone over with them a moment ago and nodded.
“Dr. Finnegan mentioned it might need a few sessions. I don’t mind starting as soon as a slot is available.”
“Okay then,” Dante said, giving his hand a squeeze. “I’ll be in the room right with you.”
He nodded. “I’m not worried. The doc said it won’t be painful. Should be a breeze, compared to giving birth.”
Six sounded confident enough, but was still apprehensive. He was thankful Dante agreed to be there. They returned to the doctor who slotted them in for a morning appointment for Friday, three days from now. They left the clinic after, with Six feeling better than he had in days.
“Oh, I’ve asked my friends if they had any secondhand laptops. Lee says Magnus has two you can choose from. We’ll swing by the Nightshade coven house later with Lee. That good?”
Six was amazed by how quickly Dante arranged matters. “That’s fast.”
“I want to help you get back on your feet. Six, I heard from Randall that most of the Omegas in the pack are only taught domestic skills and are allowed a high school education, but you know how to make websites.”
He blushed. “It was just a way to earn extra cash.”
“It’s still a valuable skill.”
Dante made do on his promise and showed him around town. Cherry Hill wasn’t large, but the small town was charming. Occasionally, they brushed by other werewolves, but most of the time, those he assumed came from the local pack, but they seemed to make it a point to avoid Dante.
Six asked the Alpha about that.
“We have a history with the Lunar Fire Pack,” Dante answered. The Alpha turned serious, old grief in his eyes, so Six reached out and grabbed Dante’s hand. Dante didn’t let go and continued, “One of our childhood friends, Larry, died a year ago, murdered by a former enforcer of the Lunar Fire Pack. Mark was supposed to be mated to the pack’s former Beta, a manipulative and abusive asshole named Luka. Joe, too, used to belong to that pack but left them. No need to worry though. Right now, we have an arrangement with them. They stay out of our business, we stay out of theirs.”
“You mentioned offhand that the vampire coven is currently the more dominant group.” Six was eager to know more about his new home and the unique position Dante and his friends had in the power structure. Back at his hometown, the Ridgeback Pack had been the dominant animal group. Here, it seemed paranormal politics were more complicated.
“The Lunar Fire Pack Alpha is looking for his replacement, so things are unstable,” Dante explained. “Magnus, on the other hand, is a pretty good leader. All his vampires are loyal to him.”
“What’s he like?” Six wanted to know, given all he knew about vampires came from gossip and since Magnus was willing to donate him a laptop.
“Magnus? Hmm. He’s a very capable predator in his own right and pretty modern for a vampire. He encourages all his older vampires to adapt to modern technology, hence the laptops.”
“Okay.” Six’s stomach rumbled again and he blushed.
Dante smirked. “Hungry? I know a good fried chicken place.”
“Fried chicken?” Oh, he loved that. “With biscuits?”
“Of course. Come on, baby.”
It was a good day for a walk. They arrived at the local fried chicken restaurant across the local park.
“Don’t you have work?” Six asked. Dante had mentioned he sometimes worked as a private security consultant.
“My time’s flexible. I work at the security firm Claws for Hire twice a week. We passed their building during our walk. Colton works there full time. Other times, I work other jobs.”
They entered the restaurant. He practically drooled, seeing the generous servings on the other diner’s plates. Dante picked a booth in the back. He plucked the plastic menu, eyes widening.
“So many choices, what do you usually order?”
“Hey, Dante. Haven’t seen in a while,” a pretty blonde waitress asked, coming to their table and taking out her notepad. “This your mate?”
“Word travels fast,” Dante said dryly. “Yep, this is Six.”
“Hi.”
“So it’s true. Well, that news will be breaking a lot of hearts.” She beamed. He saw her name was Brittany and wondered if everyone knew each other here. “So, what it will be?”
“The usual,” Dante replied, looking at him.
“I’m getting whatever he’s getting.” Six studied the menu. “Oh, you guys have sundaes, too?”
Brittany nodded. “A customer favorite.”
“Two please, caramel and hot fudge.”
“Are you going to share?” Dante asked.
He shook his head. “Get your own.”
“Oh, I like him, Dante. So feisty, perfect for you,” Brittany gushed. “So three sundaes then?”
“Strawberry for me,” Dante replied.
“I’ll be right back with your orders.”
Once Brittany left, he asked, “Does everyone know each other’s business here?”
“Somewhat.” Dante blew out a breath. “Me and the others, we’re kind of like prodigal wolves who left town and came back.”
“Oh?” Intrigued, he leaned forward. “Tell me more. Oh wait, I always wanted to ask but never got the chance to, but what did you do for Randall?”
Dante contemplated his question. “I hunted rogues for him.”
A chill went down his spine. He
knew Randall hired an outsider for that. “I see.”
“That doesn’t put you off?”
“Why should it? Rogues are dangerous; they attack those closest to them.”
Dante ran a hand through his short black hair, a frustrated gesture. “I do jobs here and there, but I think I’m ready to settle down.”
Those intense blue eyes were now gold, purely focused on him.
Six blushed. “Good.”
“Indeed.”
“Okay, so tell me embarrassingly childhood stories of you and your friends.”
Dante laughed. “You’ll have to try harder for that.”
“Humph. Fine. I’ll ask Mark. I’m sure Crash has told him stuff. He’s invited me for a night out tomorrow. He says you and the others have poker night?”
Dante nodded, eyes narrowed. “So it starts. Just promise me not to try to raise hell, okay?”
* * * *
“I need to stop by the Claws for Hire office. Will you be okay?” Dante asked Six from the front of Lee’s car.
The three of them were on their way to the Nightshade Coven house after dinner with Lee. The Alpha was less intense than Crash, more good-natured, and liked to make jokes, but like Dante, Six knew Lee could be deadly when the situation called for it.
If Six said ‘no,’ then he would be taking two steps back to becoming a more self-independent individual. Needing Dante to hold his hand at every little thing wasn’t progress, although the thought of walking into a vampire coven was intimidating, even if Lee was with him.
“I’m good,” he said.
“Don’t worry, Dante. I’ll take good care of your mate and make sure none of the vampires take a bite out of him,” Lee joked.
“Not funny,” Dante grumbled. Lee stopped the car in front of a building with the Claws for Hire sign up front. “I’ll be quick. There were a few things I needed information on. Give me a kiss?”
That was directed at Six. Six leaned close, blushed, and gave Dante a quick peck on the cheek, knowing Lee was watching the entire exchange with amusement. Once Dante exited the vehicle, Lee patted the now vacated seat.
“Join me up front, Six. I’d feel like a cab driver if you don’t.”
Sounded fair enough. Six traded seats, and once he put his seat belt on, Lee started the engine again.
“I’ve never seen Dante act this responsible, like ever, and I’ve known him since we were seven,” Lee pointed out.
“Is,” Six hesitated, “that a good or bad thing?”
“Good. I can see you’re a good guy, Six. You didn’t hide anything from Dante or us either.”
“What about the kind of trouble that will eventually follow me?” he had to ask.
“This Spike sounds like trouble, but it’s not the worst situation we’ve been in. We had to go against an entire pack so Crash could claim Mark; I had to fight off an entire evil coven with Magnus to realize he’s my mate. So you see, we’re experienced in dealing with conflict.”
“I didn’t want to put Dante and either of you in danger,” he said softly. “It was never my intention to drag anyone into my mess.”
“I can see why Dante’s taken with you. You’re damn honest. At first, I thought you were this timid little thing, but there’s hardness in you, too.”
Six thought the Alpha complimented him.
Lee smiled, showing teeth. “Ready to see your first vampire coven house?”
Chapter Nine
Lee drove to the outskirts of town and rolled into the richer part, evident by the enormous properties and impressive houses. Lee stopped the car in front of the house at the end of the road. A pale vampire waited for them outside the gates. Jerry had thought all vampires were slender and beautiful, like the vampires in the media and books.
This one was built like a linebacker, handsome enough with dark hair and eyes, but not pretty. Lee grinned at the vampire like they were friends. Said vampire gave Six a curious look.
“Did you bring us a snack, wolf?” the vampire asked. “My, my. This one looks so tasty.”
Six sided a little closer to Lee, who placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
“Six is Dante’s mate. We’re here for a laptop, that’s all,” Lee drawled.
“Ah, I see. A pity, a few of our vampires had been interested in Dante after our king mated you.”
Lee made introductions. “Six, this is Aloysius, Magnus’ second-in-command. Aloysius, meet Six.”
The vampire nodded at him. Aloysius seemed to be on good terms with Lee, despite Six’s first impression of him.
“Magnus is in one of the receiving rooms, this way.” Aloysius led them inside the tall, imposing iron-wrought gates and into the massive Victorian-styled house.
Inside, he was surprised to see modern furniture clashing with antiques, as if the vampires couldn’t quite decide between old and new. There was a beautiful pale couple who looked like they were changed in their early twenties by the foyer, kissing. Well, more than that. The black-haired male had a hand under the trousers of the other.
Six told himself not to stare.
“They know guests are coming,” Lee informed him. “Vampires like theater.”
“What are you telling that Omega, Lee?” Aloysius asked.
“You can clearly hear us.”
They reached the end of the corridor, and Aloysius knocked on the door. Lee pushed past the vampire, grabbed Six’s arm, and tugged him in.
“We’re good, Aloysius,” Lee said, closing the door on the fuming vampire.
“Dear Alpha, won’t you be pleasant to Aloysius for a change?” a voice like smooth velvet asked, amusement there.
Six turned to behold his first vampire king, struck by how exactly Magnus looked like one of the vampires in the paranormal romances he read. Magnus was tall, slender, had striking white-gold hair, and wore a suit that fitted him like a second skin, a golden prince in the flesh. When the vampire king moved, it was fluid, kind of the way some feline shifters moved.
Lee growled low in his throat, approached Magnus, wrapped an arm around his waist, and leaned in for a kiss.
Blushing, Six pretended to look elsewhere, but Magnus parted from Lee and cleared his throat.
“Ah right, okay. Later then,” Lee muttered. “This is Six, Dante’s mate.”
The vampire king parted from his Alpha mate and walked, almost glided, to Six, making no sound on the hardwood floors. “It is wonderful to meet Dante’s mate.”
Magnus raised a hand, which Six shook, stunned. The vampire’s hand was cool to the touch, like marble. He pulled his hand away. Magnus seemed to sense his apprehension and didn’t comment on it.
“Thank you, for the laptop,” he blurted.
Magnus nodded to two laptops on the computer table. “I’m not sure if they’re any good. We’ve had them for two years. Dante tells me you design websites. Can you show me some of your work?”
Six hadn’t realized this was some kind of interview, but well, it was a small request. Six took one of the laptops and turned it on, aware of the vampire king and werewolf Alpha curiously hovering over his shoulder. The device automatically connected to what he presumed was the Nightshade Coven’s Wi-Fi network, Bite Me.
He giggled, unable to help himself.
“What’s funny?” Lee asked, curiously.
“The Wi-Fi network’s called Bite Me.”
“My idea,” Lee said with pride.
Clicking on the browser, he was taken aback by a clunky website that said “Welcome to the Nightshade Coven’s website.” He’d never heard of a vampire coven with a website. Six entered his site and clicked on his online portfolios.
“These are some of the websites I’ve done. I have a wide range of clients, book authors, entrepreneurs with small businesses—” he began.
A pale hand on his shoulder, and he avoided a shudder. It wasn’t because Magnus’ touch was unpleasant, but because he was unused to someone’s hand feeling so cold.
“You’re hired,” Magnus
said, pulling his hand away, as if sensing his discomfort.
“Hired? For what?” he asked.
“As you saw earlier, our website is, for a lack of a better word, displeasing to the eye. I require a skilled individual like yourself to make it more aesthetically pleasing,” Magnus replied.
“Really, babe?” Lee asked, clearly not knowing about this either. To Six, he said, “I was surprised, that’s all, but yeah, kid, you’re pretty good.”
“I’m twenty-two,” he interrupted.
“My, the Omega has unexpected claws. Not surprising,” Magnus mused. “If you’re interested, let us discuss prices another night.”
Who was Six to reject clients? He stuck out a hand. “That sounds great, thanks!”
Magnus smiled warmly and shook his head. “Now then, I’m sorry but I have a meeting to attend. See you later?” That was for his mate.
Lee nodded. “I’ll just drive Six back to the Claws for Hire office.”
They left the coven house, with Six in a good mood. He had a new client and a computer to work on his websites again—it was definitely a good day.
* * * *
“You look happy,” Dante observed when Lee dropped Six back at Claws for Hire.
He had put in an information request to the private investigator of the firm. Dante wasn’t taking any chances. He needed to find out where Spike Ridgeback was and whether Spike or any of Six’s former pack members would come after Six and their pup.
“I am. I think I got a job offer,” Six said.
Shy smile on his lips, Six tiptoed closer and kiss him. He grabbed the back of Six’s neck and deepened the kiss. Oh, Dante would definitely never get sick of tasting Six on his mouth. His wolf agreed.
They were at the office reception area. Although the firm’s office’s hours were long over, he sensed a couple of busybodies watching them. His colleagues were harmless. That was the way with small towns; people talked, but the same people would do what they could to help in an emergency, too.