My lip curled slightly at the mention of Ace. The detective was always sticking his nose in where it wasn’t needed. He knew what we were, and he had managed to get himself onto the town council. My father, the head witch and the Alpha vampire had made him promise not to disclose our true identity to the humans that lived in Evervale. I still wasn’t sure how he had managed to convinced the other three members to let him in. I had tried to get the information out of my father but he had refused to spill. He had simply told me that what went on behind the doors of the council had nothing to with me. Not yet anyway.
“Good, I’m glad she didn’t tell him anything. Is that all you need from me?” I asked.
“Yes. That’s all for now, Riley. You enjoy the rest of your day and that Halloween party tonight. Make sure you look after your sister,” he dismissed me.
I rolled my eyes as I stood. Luna was more than capable of looking after herself. She was a year younger than me, and I loved her dearly, but she was a sassy wolf. I certainly wouldn’t want to mess with her on a good day, let alone babysit her at a party.
Taking my leave, I made my way to my room via the kitchen. There was a decent size plate of bacon sat on the workbench, with some fresh coffee in the machine. Pouring myself a large mug and grabbing the plate of food I continued to my room. Kicking the door shut behind me I sank down on my bed letting out a long sigh.
It had been a long morning already and it wasn’t even 10am. I decided that I would take a shower then grab some sleep before I had to be at the Inn. I had plenty of time, and it wasn’t like Willow didn’t have a few others to help her. I knew Luna would be there. Drax had reluctantly agreed too, after a bit of persuading on my part.
After knocking back the coffee, and making quick work of the bacon, I made my way to the en-suite bathroom. This was the one privilege I allowed myself to indulge in. I honestly didn’t know how the others coped with sharing a bathroom, not having the luxury of their privacy. Especially when it came to bringing a bit of fun back home; not that I been lucky in that department for a while.
That was another thing my father had started to poke at me about. Finding a mate. Since Archer and Willow had hooked up, I had been put under more pressure to find myself a wolf. I hadn’t, and I was in no hurry to. I was happy living the bachelor’s life. For now, anyway.
I hadn’t realised I had fallen asleep until the shrill ring of my phone made me jump. Just about managing to stop myself before I tumbled out of bed, I blindly reached out for the dreaded object. Finally, I found it in the jeans I had tossed on the floor earlier, groaning loudly when I saw who was ringing. I was in for it now.
“I would like to believe you are late because your father kept you. But considering this is the third time I’ve called, and you are only just answering I suspect you have been asleep,” Archer greeted me.
I pulled myself into a sitting position, glancing at the clock by my bed. I must have been asleep for a good five hours. Closing my mouth briefly to stop myself from firing back a retort, I finally replied.
"Yes, I fell asleep. In my defence, I told you I needed some sleep. Besides, you guys have plenty of help. I know Luna is there. Is Drax?”
“They are both here. But you promised you would give us a hand. It’s too late now. We are nearly done. What did your father have to say this morning?” Archer asked.
That was one subject I wasn’t going to get into right now. I wasn’t about to talk to Archer about our discussion on Chase. I didn’t want to spoil my friend’s night.
“It doesn’t matter. Look, are you guys coming to mine for some drinks before we head over to the Inn tonight?”
“Smooth change of subject. Yeah, we are. We will be over in about an hour, just finishing up. Willow said the first three rounds are on you considering you broke your promise. Don’t go back to sleep. We’ll see you in a bit.”
Archer was gone before I had a chance to protest about my punishment. Chucking my phone down on the bed, I ran a hand through my bed hair. It would need a lot of taming to be ready for tonight.
I was looking forward to the party. It had been too long since our little gang had got together and relaxed with some drinks. With everything that had gone on of late, it was much needed right now.
Pulling on some sweatpants and an old hoody, I made my way down to the house bar, deciding to start early while I waited for the others to join me.
Chapter Three
Riley
By the time Luna appeared with the others I was dressed and back in the bar, working my way through my third cocktail. The look on my sister’s face as she wandered in followed by the vampire and wolf, was a mixture of disbelief and annoyance. She was clearly not impressed by my solo drinking.
“You didn’t wait for us!” Luna declared.
“I’m glad I didn’t. You were longer than you said you would be,” I smirked.
“We would have been quicker if someone had bothered to come help,” Drax retorted.
I simply shrugged, taking a sip of my drink.
“Are you even going to offer us one?” Archer piped up.
I rolled my eyes, turning to pour three more glasses of my latest concoction. Handing them out with a grin, I looked around at my little family. All we were missing was Willow.
“Cheers to Halloween, and family. Because that’s how I see you all,” I toasted.
The three of them echoed my sentiments, before taking a long sip of the cocktail I had made. Archer choked on his, raising an eyebrow at me as he did.
“What did you put in this?”
“I lost track of what I put in. Drink up, then go and get changed. I assume you and Drax brought some clothing to get changed into? I still haven’t figured out why Willow chose a black-tie theme.”
“It’s something different. Plus, it stops the humans insulting us by dressing up in what they think vampires, witches and wolves look like,” Archer replied.
“Make us some more of those cocktails while we get ready, brother. We have a few hours yet and I plan to be happily tipsy by the time we get back to the Inn,” Luna announced.
Laughing, I watched as my little sister knocked back the last of her drink before sauntering out of the room. The other two followed soon after, leaving me alone once again.
I was so grateful that my friends had accepted the vampire into our circle, despite the whispers from the others in the pack. Drax had his problems, but he was a good soul, not like the other vampires of the Evervale clan. He had been dealt a cruel card, one he was still coming to terms with. Accepting Drax into the pack proved I was right, that we all were right. Chase could never come back and run this pack, not if we wanted to keep equality at the heart of Evervale.
A few hours later I found myself walking into Evervale Inn, stopping in the entrance to take in the decorated building. It looked so different to its everyday style, and I had to admit, they had done a good job jazzing it up.
The black-tie wasn’t my normal scene, I had been forced to raid Chase’s wardrobe to dig out one of his expensive suits. But for a night I could embrace it, it was a fun twist on the traditional Halloween expectations. Archer had been right, it was nice to not see the humans in the stupid costumes they put together each year.
The colour scheme had been kept traditional though. The normal black and oranges bounced out from every wall. Various tacky props were scattered about, no doubt to pander to the humans. There was a good vibe, one that been lacking in the town of late. It was going to be a good night, and I was ready for it.
“You broke a promise, Sooty.”
I turned at the voice, finding Willow stood in front of me holding out an orange coloured drink. I smiled at the nickname Willow had given me. I was the only black wolf amongst our little group, so I had earned the name. I took the drink from my friend, taking a sip, screwing up my nose as I did.
“What is this, Willow?”
“Just a speciality for Halloween. It doesn’t have a name.”
“I’m
sorry about earlier. I fell asleep and seemingly missed a load of calls from Archer,” I apologised.
“Yeah, he said you had been for an early morning run. He also didn’t believe you.”
I shifted my gaze from Willow, casting it around the main bar. I wasn’t going to answer any questions about that morning tonight. I wanted to have some fun, get drunk and forget about my brother and father for a bit.
“He is obviously right not to believe you. But that’s for tomorrow. Tonight is for celebrating and having fun. It’s Halloween after all. And we put a lot of effort into this party, so you’re going to enjoy it,” Willow grinned.
I grinned back at her, giving her a quick hug before going in search of my friends. Weaving through the crowd, my eye caught on my sister swooning over someone. I was about to go over and introduce myself to her latest interest, only stopping when I realised who it was she was talking to. Ace Carter. Why was she drooling over a human, and him of all of them in the town?
“She’s been swooning over him for a while now,” Drax said.
I turned to find Drax leaning casually against the bar, an amused look on his face. How had I not known about this? Did Father know?
“Why did noone tell me about it?” I demanded.
Drax shook his head. Laughing, he moved closer to where I was now stood at the bar.
“Why does it matter, Riley? Nothing is going to happen. He’s human and she is a shifter. Nothing will come of it. Let her have her fun. She is doing no harm.”
“He’s a self-righteous dick,” I spat.
“Wow, say what you really think, Sooty.”
I glared at my friend. I didn’t like the man, I hadn’t from the moment he had entered the town. He was a hunter, of that I was sure. It was the only way he could know so much about what lived in Evervale. The fact that he was already poking his nose around Luke’s death didn’t sit well with me. Ace knew it had nothing to do with humans, so why not leave it alone?
“I never thought I would say this to you, but you need to relax. Enjoy tonight. Let Luna have her fun,” Drax suggested.
I sighed deeply taking my eyes away from my sister, sending Drax a look of mock defeat.
“Okay, you and me let’s hit up the shots and see where the night takes us.”
“I believe the first three rounds are on you for bailing on us earlier,” Drax reminded me.
I let out a low growl but didn’t protest further. Catching Willow’s eyes, I slipped her some cash so that she could pay for the next three rounds for Luna and Archer. Two shots of tequila appeared in front of me. Sliding one over to Drax, lifting it up in a slight toast.
“Happy Halloween.”
“Happy Halloween,” Drax echoed.
We knocked the shots back, another appearing in front of us in a blink of an eye. It was going to be a good night.
Chapter Four
Riley
When I stepped outside a few hours later, the effects of the alcohol were well and truly taking hold. The party was in full swing and for the most part, everyone had been behaving themselves. I only had to help Drax remove one vampire for trying to seduce a female human. There was an understanding with the vampires that they were not to harm the humans in Evervale, they kept to it but I understood that alcohol heightened temptation.
When Drax had first arrived in Evervale, he had been a mess. It had taken a lot of help from me and the others to get him to where he is right now. That was why he was the best person to deal with situations at bars or parties that involved drunk vampires. It gave him purpose and it gave me some fun when I got to help him chuck someone out. We made a great security tag team.
I was brought from my musings by another presence. The scent of a human caught my nose. Turning to see who had joined me for some fresh air, I let out a small snarl when I saw Ace stood by the wall.
“Riley, isn’t it? Nice evening out here tonight. Great party, too. Must admit, I was a little unsure what to expect on Halloween. Especially in a town full of all the creatures that we humans mock,” he said.
“Oh, this is just what we do to humour humans. Once this is over each of us go off to celebrate in our own traditional ways,” I smirked.
“Is that right? What do shifters do? Howl at the moon?” Ace mocked.
I growled low, I really didn’t like this guy. I also wanted to know what was going on between him and Luna.
“I saw you with my sister earlier.”
“Luna? She’s your sister? I didn’t know,” Ace said simply.
“Yes, you did. You’re on the council. You know my father, and therefor know my family.”
“I suppose I do. Where’s your older brother? I haven’t seen him around lately. Not since your father’s Beta was murdered,” Ace questioned.
I could feel my wolf stirring inside me as I stepped up to Ace, bringing my face mere inches from his.
“Stay away from my family. From my pack. What happened to Luke is nothing to do with you, human,” I hissed.
Ace held my glare steadily, the smirk on his face only angering me more. I could feel my wolf thrashing inside me, begging to be let out so that he could wipe that smirk off Ace’s face.
Ace pushed me aside, stepping away from me, still unfazed by the threat of a wolf. That was the moment I knew I was right about him; he was a hunter.
“You aren’t the Alpha of your pack, Riley. That means I don’t take orders from you. Now, as much as I have enjoyed our little chat, me and your sister have somewhere else to be.”
He was gone before I had a chance to respond, pushing past Archer as he disappeared back into the Inn.
“What was that all about?” Archer asked.
I took a few moments to gather my thoughts and calm myself down before answering my friend.
“Riley? What did he want?” Archer pushed.
“Seemingly to mock me and try to dig up some information on your father’s murder,” I replied bitterly.
A look of hurt mixed with anger flickered in Archer’s eyes. I cursed myself for being so insensitive. Reaching out I squeezed my friend’s shoulder gently.
“I’m sorry, Archer.”
“It’s okay. He’s a dick anyway. I don’t know what your sister sees in him,” Archer said.
“Drax thinks I should chill out and let Luna have her fun with Ace.”
“Maybe she should. I think that she will eat him alive. Teach him not to mess around with Supernaturals,” Archer stated.
I nodded in silent agreement. Maybe they were right. My sister was a force of nature. If anyone was going to teach our new detective the other side of Evervale, it would be Luna.
A sudden chill ran through me, my senses suddenly heightened causing my body to tense. It felt like someone was lurking in the shadows, watching and listening.
“Riley, what is it?” Archer questioned.
I held my hand up to silence my friend. Turning my nose to the air I allowed my wolf to creep to the surface to get a better judge of what it was that had alerted me. The silence was met with a rustle in the bushes to my left, and a lone figure stepped out. From the light that was coming from the bar I could make out a small female, she didn’t smell human.
“Who are you?” I questioned.
The girl came fully into view. I glanced at Archer, who sent me an equally confused look. Neither of us knew her; she must have been new to town. I was normally made aware of any newbies; Supernatural or human, that entered Evervale. As the superior race in Evervale, the wolves were the ones who welcomed newbies in, and my father had picked me to be in charge of that lately.
“My name is Amara, I’m new here,” she replied.
“What are you?” Archer asked bluntly.
She didn’t reply at first, shifting slightly under the gaze of two wolves. I waited for her answer, studying her as I did. She was dressed in clothing that fitted Halloween, all black with a gothic look to them. The colour of her hair matched the dark of the night, and her eyes glowed an unnatural green. She
was making me feel uncomfortable, and making my wolf wanted to break free. To attack.
“I’m a reaper,” she replied.
The silence that followed her reply was tense. Neither of us dared to move, though both our wolves wanted nothing more than to drive this creature away. Reapers brought nothing but bad news. They only came to Evervale to take a human, and rarely showed themselves. The fact that Amara was stood so obviously in front of us meant nothing good was to come of this meeting.
“Why is a reaper showing itself in Evervale?” I questioned.
I heard Archer growl next to me as a dark smirk spread across Amara’s face. She was no longer uncomfortable around us, instead, she stepped a little closer. It took all of my power to stop myself from shifting.
“Nothing to concern yourself with just yet, wolf. Why don’t you go back to your party?”
“Not until I know you will leave Evervale. We don’t want your evil lurking around here,” Archer spat.
I placed my hand on my friend’s arm, hoping to calm and stop him from making this situation any worse. Right now, we were close to upsetting the reaper and the magic and destruction that could unleash was not something I wanted to trigger.
“Be known this won’t be the last time we see each other,” Amara warned.
I tightened my hold on Archer, stopping him from going after the reaper as she turned on her heel and made her way back to where she belonged, in the shadows.
“What was a reaper doing talking to you?”
Both of us jumped as Drax came up behind us. He raised an eyebrow at us, a look of amusement dancing in his steel-blue eyes. I glanced at the empty space that the reaper had just been stood in.
“I smelt her. She had the stench of evil around her,” Drax said.
“We never got much out of her. She left with a warning, that we would see her again,” I replied.
“I don’t like it,” Archer muttered.
Falling for Shifters: A Limited Edition Autumn Shifters Collection Page 104