“What do you mean? Brad’s a monster? Is that why he didn’t come home last night?” Mandy began to wipe the moisture from her cheeks.
I took a deep breath and slowly released it. “Brad was turned into a werewolf this summer, right before you came back to school. It explains his behavior. There was a full moon last night, and he was out on the prowl. Thankfully, Damien found him first and took him back to their compound.”
Biting my lip, I continued, “Um, everything you fear in movies is real. Vampires, shifters, witches, werewolves-which are different than wolf shifters, they are all real. Some are good, most are bad. I haven’t come across any good vampires, except for one. He stays away from humans as much as he can.”
I didn’t think now was the best time to tell her about Ivan. I certainly didn’t want to bring him up in front of Damien, not after a great date last night.
“I’m so confused. I don’t understand any of this.” Mandy plopped down on the asphalt right in front of the black SUV.
“Mandy, just come with us. Brad can help you understand what’s going on. We can come back another time for your stuff. Let’s just get going.” I wanted to get far away from here before the acolytes woke up. Plus, with this heat, the dead guy would start stinking soon.
With a weary expression, Mandy piled into the extra-long Cadillac Escalade. We all joined her and took off as soon as Damien had loaded the guys.
Mandy looked over her shoulder at the guys in the back. “Why are you taking the other two guys alive?”
I wasn’t going to touch this one. Damien could handle it.
Which he did. “We try not to kill the acolytes, if we can help it. Sometimes, we don’t have a choice. There is a program in another state designed to rehabilitate anyone who has fallen under the spell of any paranormal creature. We send them there. It’s very rare they return to this life.”
“Oh, I guess that’s nice. Right?” Mandy turned to me and gave me a tentative smile.
I returned her smile. “It’s better than killing them.”
A change of subject was needed. “When was the last time you saw Brad?”
“Last night in your store. Once we left, he made up some dumb excuse and ran away from me. He just left me in the French Quarter by myself.” While staring at her hands, Mandy started to cry again.
“Hey, it’s a good thing he left you. I bet he realized the change was coming, and he didn’t want to hurt you. I know he loves you. It’s been tough on him not being able to tell you about all of this.” I rubbed her back as her tears continued to run down her cheeks.
“Why didn’t he tell me? We’re supposed to able to tell each other anything.” Mandy wiped her cheeks and sniffled.
“I don’t think he knew how to tell you. How do you tell the woman you love you’re a monster, and other monsters have promised to help you control the beast within?” With his eyes on the rearview mirror, Damien was trying his best to calm Mandy.
“Huh, I didn’t think of it like that.” Mandy scrunched her nose as she thought about everything.
We continued on in a tense sort of quiet. Once we got there, I was itching to get outside. I’m sure everyone else was as well. There was a dead guy in the back and two unconscious muscly dudes who served the rogue vamps. I only wanted to get them put in some sort of containment so Rico could question them about the impending war.
14
Kat
“Brad!” Mandy yelled before she even stepped foot out of the SUV.
My ears were ringing since she was right behind me.
The two ran to each other like in those sappy romance movies. I made a disgusted face but was secretly happy I was able to reunite two people who were so obviously in love.
“Hey now. Don’t look so disgusted. He’s only a werewolf one night a month. We’ll figure this out.” Damien put his arm around my shoulder.
“It’s not what you think.” I shook my head and smirked. “Their sappy reunion is just too…sappy.”
I didn’t know what else to say so I shrugged. How could I explain to him I was jealous of their love? I doubted Mandy would care one bit about Brad’s monthly cycle.
The big wolf shifter next to me returned my smirk. “I see. It has nothing to do with him being an animal? Just the two of them being so in love?”
“Exactly. Public displays of affection are disgusting.” I shivered.
Damien’s grin told me he didn’t believe me. “Don’t worry, you won’t see much of them. I think Rico’s planning on sending them somewhere else for a while. At least, until the rogues are dealt with. So random displays of love won’t be an issue.” He leaned in and kissed me on my temple.
There was something possessive but also endearing when a man kissed a woman on her temple. While I wouldn’t consider it a public display of affection, or least not one to gross anyone out, it was his way of claiming me. I never realized I wanted a man to publicly claim me before.
I doubted anyone was paying attention to us. All eyes seemed to be on Mandy and Brad. However, I was surrounded by warriors. If they hadn’t noticed what Damien just did, they didn’t deserve the title. I looked at Jenna, and from the smile she was trying to hide behind her hand, I knew she saw.
My cheeks were growing warmer by the second. The date last night was really fun. Damien and I have always hit it off well, but did that mean I wanted him as my boyfriend? Did I even have room in my life for one?
15
Damien
Kat was so cute. I knew she was just jealous of the love Brad and Mandy displayed. Heck, if I was honest with myself, I probably was too. When Mandy jumped out of the car, she ran straight for Brad who sprinted to her in return. Just like the movies.
They kissed like crazy, and Mandy was all tears. I would swear Brad was too. It’s been almost an hour, and they haven’t stopped touching each other. They only stopped kissing long enough for Brad to ensure Mandy was unharmed. He really did love her. It’s so rare to see such love.
Rico called them both into his office to discuss their situation. Kat and I followed.
“I’m afraid you won’t be safe here. The vampires will come looking for you both.” Okay, Rico wasn’t holding back. No pleasantries here.
“How do we hide? Where do we go?” The furrowed brow on Brad’s face spoke to my heart. I could tell he wanted nothing more than to protect his Mandy, like any man in love would.
“I would love to keep you both here, but I have my pack to consider. There is a distant pack I can send you to. Although, you should know they will chain you up and throw you in a dungeon each full moon, Brad.” Rico raised his eyes and pointedly looked at both Brad and Mandy.
“I wouldn’t want anything else. If I woke up to find out I had hurt…or killed someone, I would want to die myself. Is there nothing to be done for my situation?” Brad scratched behind his ear like a dog shooing ticks away.
I wondered if he realized what he was doing or if it was instinctual. Either way, he was nervous.
“At this point, no. We aren’t even sure what caused the mutation you suffer from. There are theories, but none have been proven. I do know it doesn’t pass down to your children. So there’s something.” Rico winced when he looked at the couple.
This had to be tough. We never let a werewolf live. I sure hoped the new pack would agree to let them live in peace.
“Brad, we will do everything we can to keep you and your girl safe. If you can follow the rules and never get out, you should live a long and loving life. It’s just one night a month. Think of it as a business trip.” Damien sure had a way with situations. A business trip? Really?
The guy would be strapped to a wall within a cell. If he got out, he could kill his woman and any children they might have. It might be like a business trip for a mafia boss, not for any normal person. I guess Brad’s not normal. Not anymore.
“Come on. Let’s go for a walk.” I put my hand out to Kat.
“Where are we going?”
Once we
were outside I took Kat away from the compound’s main building toward the tree line. “I think Brad and Mandy needed some time alone. You don’t need to worry about them. They’ll be fine.”
“Yeah, sure. He’s a monster who can’t control himself. He has absolutely no human thoughts while in his other form. If he ever gets loose, who’s to say he won’t eat Mandy or any kids they may have? This is a screwed up situation.”
“I know.” I stopped and put a strand of Kat’s hair behind her ear. She was so beautiful. “You always act so tough and distant. I know different. Your heart is bigger than the state of Texas.”
With my thumb, I lightly rubbed her cheek. It felt amazing. I closed my eyes and took in a shuddering breath when I dragged my thumb along her lips. All I could think of was kissing her. Taking her in my arms and making her mine.
“You can tell me to stop.” I whispered against her lips.
I opened my eyes and looked directly into hers. She was so close, all I had to do was move a centimeter, and our lips would be touching. She parted her lips and licked them. Something inside of me roared to life. This woman was mine. Even my wolf believed it.
My eyes focused on her lips and watched her tongue as it lightly wet those luscious lips in anticipation of my kiss. She wanted this as badly as I did. I could hear her heart beating a mile a minute. Her breaths were coming in short gasps.
I put my left arm on the small of her back and pulled her firmly against my body when her lips crashed into mine. I wrapped my other arm around her neck and pulled her even closer to me.
I couldn’t tell you how long we kissed. I just know when we finally did pull apart, the sun was high in the sky, and her stomach was growling. Was she hungry for food or more of me?
Kat giggled. “Sorry, I didn’t even get to finish my beignet this morning. Guess it’s lunchtime?”
I kissed her once more and took her hand. “Come on. Where are my manners? I think we actually missed lunch.”
“Really? That would mean we were making out for a very long time.” Her cheeks turned pink when I looked at her. Good. I loved Kat looking all pink and shy just for me.
“It’s a good thing no one was looking for us.” I winked and smiled at her.
When we reached the main hall, I opened the door for her. I smiled as she passed me. Just as she walked past, I smacked her butt.
“Hey! None of that now.” She turned and shook her finger at me. Secretly, I bet she enjoyed it.
I smirked, knowing she wasn’t mad, and took hold of her hand and walked us to the kitchen.
“I think we are going to be going on a double date soon with Rico and Jenna. If she says yes.” I was making Kat a sandwich when I let this little bombshell drop.
“Really? He’s finally going to ask her out? It’s about time. Rico was taking way too long to ask her out. I actually wondered if they would ever get together.” She snickered.
“Even though I told Jenna not to go out with him until she was ready. Who was I to tell her she couldn’t go out with him? Look at me. I’m dating you now.” Kat ducked her head and I caught sight of her cheeks turning pink again.
“What’s wrong with dating us? Why would you tell her not to?” I stopped making the sandwiches and waited. Did she think something was wrong with us?
“I just don’t want to lose the friendship of the entire pack. If something went wrong with Jenna and Rico, would we still have your protection or friendship?” She pursed her lips.
Was she really worried about losing our protection?
I put the mustard bottle down. “Kat, even if it doesn’t work out with us, or between Rico and Jenna, the entire pack would still protect you. I would still protect you, no matter what. It’s more than just our job. You are our friends and will always be considered pack members. We don’t turn our backs on our family.”
“Thank you. This pack means the world to me. You are all part of our family, too. We couldn’t stand losing your friendship. The loss of your protection is nothing compared to the loss of your friendship. I’ll talk to Jenna. Let her know we have nothing to worry about.” Kat’s entire demeanor relaxed and a huge smile covered her beautiful face.
So this was why Jenna kept pulling back and giving Rico mixed signals.
I felt we needed to get back to discussing our double date and take the conversation back to a fun and carefree feeling. It was getting a bit too intense. Not that intense was bad per se, just the wrong time and place for it.
“I haven’t had Uncle Wong’s in a while. We should go there for dinner, and maybe hit a jazz club after. Nothing along Bourbon Street. It should be something for locals. Not so crowded.” I rarely went to the clubs tourists frequented, if I could help it.
Clubs along the strip were always too crowded and loud for a date. If we were going to double then we needed the perfect ambiance. One which allowed for talking, not yelling.
“Jimmie would love to have us at his restaurant for a date. It would be nice to hang out there for fun and not because we are on the clock or responding to an emergency.” I chuckled. “I bet Jimmie asks us what’s wrong as soon as we enter his place.”
“He doesn’t ask us. There were only a few times we went to Uncle Wong’s when there was an issue. Come to think of it, both times we were with you or Rico. Huh. We eat there several times a week or get take out.” Kat shrugged.
It was true. All four of the girls had a thing for Chinese take-out. It was also true trouble followed all of us around like flies on stink.
16
Kat
“Jenna, has Rico asked you out yet?” I hoped I wasn’t too late to convince her to accept his offer.
“Yes, he did.” She just smiled at me, not telling what her answer was. She was infuriating.
“And? Did you accept? Please say you did.” If she was afraid of my response, I wanted to make sure she knew I was totally onboard with them dating.
“I did. Damien set up a double date already. Didn’t he tell you?”
“Um…” I pulled my cell phone out wondering how I missed a call from him.
“OH, he called while I was on the phone with the manager of the Blue Bayou. I heard a beep and totally forgot when I got off the phone. Guess I better call him back.” I turned to walk away smiling at my phone.
When I remembered my conversation yesterday with Damien, I turned around. “Jenna, I spoke with Damien yesterday about what would happen if things didn’t work out with us dating them.”
“And?”
I gave her a nice pause for effect. I chuckled and responded, “We are part of their pack. We may break up a romantic relationship but never a family relationship. Once we are part of the pack, we’ll always be part of the pack. So don’t worry about what might happen if you break up. Just be good to Rico. He deserves it, and you deserve him. I’ve seen how he looks at you and the way he protects you.”
Jenna nodded and waved as I walked away to call my man? My boyfriend? Were we there yet? Maybe not. I couldn’t wait to call him my boyfriend.
This was so different from my time with Ivan. He definitely wasn’t my boyfriend. Not once did he claim me in public. We only ever spent time, alone, making out in dark alleys or parks. Come to think of it, he never even showed me where he was staying. A couple of times he came to my apartment when I knew all of the girls would be out, which was very rare.
No, Ivan was intense. He taught me a lot about the real New Orleans and vampires. I also know he cared very much for me, as I did him. It just couldn’t work. If I couldn’t give him my blood, he would have to get it elsewhere.
The sharing of blood was too personal. Even if he never had sex with the acolytes who gave him blood, I still couldn’t stand him putting his fangs on another woman. We were doomed from the start.
Damien was different. There was absolutely nothing standing in our way. No laws were being broken. I was a shifter, after all. Just one who couldn’t shift. Which reminded me, I needed to chat with Joseph about what Jeeves sa
id.
Why couldn’t I shift?
I dialed Damien. “Hey there. Miss me already?” I giggled. Who was I? I never giggled for a man.
“Hi, gorgeous. I wanted to let you know Rico finally got up the nerve and called Jenna this morning. We have a double date for tomorrow night.”
“That’s awesome! Good timing too. I got us a gig for two nights from now. We are performing at The Blue Bayou.”
“Oh? You do know it’s a popular hangout for the disenfranchised paranormal population, right?”
How did Damien know this stuff?
“Really? I knew Rico hated it last time we performed there. Some witches caused him an issue. They never bothered us. We had no issues whatsoever. It pays really well, and last time, we sold out of CD’s a week after the performance. It’s a great gig for us.” If they were worried, I didn’t understand why they just didn’t clean the club out of all the bad guys.
“I’ll let Rico know. I’m sure he’s going to want to bring a group along to protect you all. Besides, the entire pack loves to watch you perform.” I hoped Damien wouldn’t start worrying over me like Rico does with Jenna.
“Fine, the more the merrier. You don’t need to worry. It would be really bad for them to try anything with us in such a large crowd.”
“Uh-huh. Why did you get the gig at the last minute?”
“The other band had a death in the family. They had to go out of town for the funeral. Don’t try to make this into anything. The manager knows we are open to cover when he has a cancellation. There’s nothing wrong with this situation.” He better not try to ruin this for us. I won’t stand for it.
“I’m not. Just curious. I’m sure it will be fine. Do you want to get something to eat tonight?”
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