by Jo Penn
“Will do. You three, get the vamp.”
“Ah, sure, one’s decapitated.” One of the wolves shuddered a little.
“Then pick up the pieces and toss them into a garbage bag. I don’t want blood all over my car.” Enforcer Drax strode over to his brother. “How many times do I have to tell you, Luka, don’t go rushing in before thinking?”
Before the enforcer could remove the net, Cas opened a portal, flicked a finger, and sent his wolf through. He then stepped in with two of his men and left two guards to assist. He stepped out the other side of the portal and closed it.
Chapter Three
The wolf was still in the net and began chewing at it while snarling.
“Be a good little wolfie and think before you speak and do something I will severely punish you for,” Cas advised. “Leave him in the net for a moment, I wish to see if the wolf knows how to pay attention.”
Visij just smiled. Cas lowered his wizard tenderly to one of the large sofas and double checked for wounds and injuries. The creature slowly opened big bright blue eyes and flinched back from Cas. He soothed the creature with words and hands, telling him he was safe. The vampires were captured but soon realized the creature didn’t understand a word he said.
Or did he? The wizard kept looking at Cas’s lips. Cas carefully held out his hand and began using sign language, saying who he was, what had happened, and that the creature was safe. Then he asked his name.
The wizard shakily replied his name was Tudor Masters, he belonged to the Armstrong coven here in Milson City, the vampires were dangerous, it wasn’t safe for Prince Caspar to be near him, and he was deaf without his hearing aid.
Cas crouched and smiled, signing for Tudor to know he was safe. Cas was very powerful and a vampire could not get through his magic surrounding the house. He reminded Tudor that as a wizard he knew this was correct about fae magic and his mate nodded and smiled. Or tried to. It looked rusty and awkward. Endearing though.
Caspar was always upfront and also informed Tudor he was his mate. This got the poor wizard staring at him blankly for quite some time. Cas patted him affectionately on the head. There was no way for Tudor to verify this at this time so they would have to wait.
“Ah, Nigel, this is my mate, Tudor Masters. He has had a shock and may require refreshments. He is also deaf without his hearing aid so do not be offended if he does not speak or hear you.”
“Of course, Your Highness. Would your healing magic be able to correct this slight hearing problem?”
“Unfortunately, no. I have touched the problem and see it is one he was born with and cannot be fixed. I am not concerned.”
“As you shouldn’t be. A mate is a gift, and one with wizard magic is a very good match.” Nigel gave a small smile. “I am very pleased for you, Your Highness.”
“Thank you.”
“I will get refreshments.”
Cas had been watching the wolf. The creature was sitting under the net, his head going back and forth during the conversation. Now he stared at Cas, tongue hanging out of his mouth. It was sort of an insolent look. This mate was going to be difficult. Oh, Cas had no doubt the beginning of the mateship would have obstacles, and he felt sure the wizard was going to be difficult to reach when it came to anything other than chatting and magic. The wolf though was entirely different.
He circled the creature slowly, one hand out. Luka shifted, looking startled. Cas covered his mate’s naked body with clothes. He did not like others to see his mates naked and with a flick of his hand removed the net and it disappeared.
“Thanks for the clothes. I better go—”
Cas took hold of the creature. He was six foot six, the wolf about six foot and much more slender though with superb muscle definition. He easily put the startled creature onto the padded high back dining chair Visij pulled out for him. Holding the now struggling mate—damn, he was gorgeous—Cas wrapped paranormal chains around him and locked them in place.
“What the—!”
“Quiet.” Cas glanced over at Tudor who was watching all this nervously. He turned back to his wolf mate, the anger inside held precariously in check.
His mate. One who had run from him then either had sex or messed around with two other creatures from what Cas had scented. Now that the wolf had shifted the scents were nearly gone, but Cas had caught them and was infuriated. Mates did not behave like this! It was a betrayal, a huge one.
This mate could not be trusted, possibly ever. He wondered about the wizard. He didn’t feel any deceit from that mate, but there was something there, beneath the reserved, shy ways. Witches and wizards were often reserved, that was their nature, but still... Whatever it may be, these were his mates. Fae, like most paranormals, knew how precious mates were, how needed, and he’d waited such a long time, too damn long for his. They were a gift and he would keep them, of course. Locked up, if necessary.
Nigel returned with food and drink for the wizard who smiled just a touch rusty again but didn’t touch anything on the tray placed beside him on one of the side tables.
“You know, this isn’t doing anything for fae/wolf relations.” The wolf had the sexiest voice. It went straight to Cas’s groin and had him filling up. “I’m Luka Charmers of the Starters pack. I’m the pack’s interspecies public relations officer. I think there must be some type of misunderstanding here. Let’s start again.”
Charmers. Yes, Cas was already aware Luka was Mayor Rainier’s son and Enforcer Drax’s brother and wasn’t in the least concerned about public relations between his kind and the pack.
Cas rounded on the man. “Do you deny you are my mate?”
The creature frowned momentarily then gave a wolfish smile, completely unconcerned. “I do. I must be failing in my interspecies public relations knowledge, I’m sorry. I have been informed fae only knew their mates via magical bonding. From what I understand, you have to be intimate with another creature to know.”
“We can be intimate if that aids you in clarifying,” Caspar snapped. “After you explain to me why you lie.”
“As I said, a misunderstanding. As you can see, I am not having any mate reaction, a telltale sign of a wolf finding his or her mate. Sorry if you got the wrong end of the stick, Your Highness.”
“He lies really well.” Visij crossed his arms, legs apart, studying Luka Charmers.
“He does indeed. Alpha Starters, welcome to my temporary home.” Cas stared hard at Luka a moment, the wolf giving an insolent smile and raising a brow.
“Hi, Alpha, glad you could join us. I was just explaining to Prince Caspar and his associates that chaining up other paranormals is not the best for public relations between our kinds.”
The Alpha was a big man, solid and tall, handsome, and took everything in at a glance. Also here were Enforcer Drax Charmers, Luka’s brother apparently, Prince Dominic of the Sanchez pride and another wizard who was pale, shaky, and looking very stressed. The wizard seemed rooted to the spot, staring at first Luka then Tudor.
“Both are fine, wizard.” Visij had also noticed and reassured. Vis was capable of great concern for others, and great disdain.
“Prince Caspar, Lieutenant Visij, the Starters pack and Armstrong coven thank you for stopping the Renegade vampires from abducting wizard Tudor Masters. We need to return him immediately to the Armstrong coven for protection,” Alpha Starters stated authoritatively.
Luka chuckled. He seemed to have absolutely no fear and no concept he was in a precarious position. It made Cas curious, and very cautious. Wolves were smart, usually, and knew when to back down, show respect. This one crossed the line numerous times, blurring it and going back and forth between outright rudeness to endearing light heartedness. Which was the real Luka Charmers? And what exactly was he up to?
“That may be up for debate, Uri. It appears the wizard, Tudor, is Prince Caspar’s mate.”
The Alpha gave a nod. “I see. You discovered this when rescuing Tudor, your highness?”
“I
did. Tudor will remain with me.”
Caspar saw the struggle on the Alpha’s face and wondered why. Mates remained together. The strongest, or the one with the family to aid in protecting and housing, kept the other. The wizard was his to keep. It was the law of their kind.
“Yes, that is the way it should be. My concern is the danger your mate is currently in, Your Highness.”
“Please, apprise me as to why Renegade vampires were abducting my mate.”
The Alpha quietly and quickly explained the situation of Tudor overhearing and seeing an exchange with a Senator. The Senator was due for trial next week and already one of the witnesses, a friend of Tudor’s, had been murdered. Cas’s hands clenched into fists, his eyes lingering on his wizard mate.
“I owe a debt to the Armstrong coven, this vampire Lord Xavier who rescued Tudor, and the Starters pack for keeping my mate safe and protected. He will remain with me and I will ensure he reaches the tribunal to testify.”
“Tudor, are you okay with that?” the other wizard asked.
“My mate’s hearing aid is gone.”
“Oh, he has more at our coven. I can get one,” the other wizard said.
“Thank you. I will arrange staff to assist in collecting all of Tudor’s belongings.”
“Why is my brother chained up?” Enforcer Drax was a lethal wolf, Cas could see it, sense it with his magic and feelers. Not one to ever cross. “I realize he is a nuisance, but this is blatant disrespect which I won’t let lie.”
“Enforcer Drax, allow me to speak,” Alpha Urian snapped with authority.
Drax did not tilt his head submissively, but he gave a sharp nod.
“Perhaps you could explain, Your Highness. As Luka stated, this is not good for public relations between our kinds and I take great offense to this.”
“Understood. And I take great offense to a mate lying and running from me.”
“What?” Prince Dominic exclaimed. “Tudor did not run.”
“No, he was unconscious and has shown great strength in listening and doing as he should. This mate has shown nothing but disrespect and lack of morals,” Cas snapped out, temper showing. “He denies we are mates and lies.”
“My brother does not show signs of a mate reaction, which he would have if he were your mate, and that would also make Tudor his mate. If this were true, having both mates here, when first meeting them, would be a near overload for Luka.” Drax was unrelenting.
“Very true, no signs what so ever. For interspecies public relations’ sake, why don’t we let this matter slide? I think the prince may be confused since he’s just met his mate—”
“Your punishment only grows, mate, every time you open your mouth.” Cas glared at the wolf. “He is my mate but somehow has suppressed the mate reaction. This is the not the first time we have encountered one another. Yesterday, your pack public relations officer was in shifted form and came across us, or was perhaps sent to keep an eye on us. He scented me, as I him, then unbelievably, he ran off.” Cas met Urian’s eyes directly, then Drax’s. “Mates do not do this, not the paranormal kind. I followed at a distance, curious and concerned. Luka went straight to an apartment then drove to the Armstrong coven.”
He noted the other wizard pale and shaking and trying to be invisible. It would be difficult as he was five foot ten and had bright purple hair.
Gaining an idea of what was going on, he circled his mate who was far too cocky and sure of himself. Holding out a hand, he used his feelers.
“I saw Enforcer Drax confront him over his appalling driving and they entered the coven together. I left knowing he was safe and I would find him later. I had many important matters to see to last night and intended to speak to you of this today, Alpha Starters. And there, magic, a potion. What did you give my mate, wizard?”
The purple haired wizard was shaking so much his entire body shook. All the wolves and the tiger turned to him.
“Laurie didn’t give me anything. I just don’t have a mate reaction because you are not my mate.”
“Still, you dig yourself further. It is commendable that you try and cover for your friend, one you may have placed in a very bad position,” Cas commented.
His wolf’s eyes glittered at him with something akin to anger but not quite there.
“Laurence, what did you do?” Alpha Starters demanded.
“Oh, ah, nothing! Luka ate something and it didn’t agree with him—”
“You’re lying.” The Sanchez tiger, Prince Dominic, snapped. “Luka, is Prince Caspar your mate?”
The wolf shook his head.
“Try saying the words out loud, brother.” Drax gave his brother a very steely, knowing look.
Luka said nothing for a moment then shrugged in the chains. “I can’t really say much of anything. How can the Prince know when he was so far away from me? I think he’s confused.”
“Lie, last bit.” Prince Dominic shook his head. “What did you do, Luka?”
Luka clamped his lips shut.
“I see. You can sense lies.” Cas nodded approvingly. “Try with the wizard again, Laurence, is it? What did you give my mate, wizard?”
“Oh Gods, I knew this would happen.”
“Laurie, nothing is happening, you didn’t do anything,” Luka said calmly with a smile. “Chill, buddy.”
“Gods dammit, Luka! You have no concept! If you’ve done what I very much believe you have, you’ve betrayed your mate bond, not once, but twice.” Urian snarled, one hand running through his thick dark hair.
“Let’s say three times.” Luka lost all warmth, eyes glassy and hard. “You already threatened to punish me over that and return the guards. Fine. Go for it.”
“Be quiet,” the Alpha ordered. “Laurence. Now.”
“I’m so sorry! Luka was in a panic. He couldn’t breathe, and he was begging me! You have to understand, Alpha, you know what Luka’s like. I couldn’t leave him like that and he was right, he needed time to take it all in, understand it. He doesn’t believe the mating bond will change the way he is, stop the cravings, and automatic…well, you know.” He flushed, eyes on the floor. “I made a potion and had him drink it. All it does is stops him from reacting to his mate. He cannot scent his mate. He does still see the Prince as his mate though, but doesn’t have the feelings that the mate bond evokes. So there’s no connection. But the potion only lasts a week.”
“My God, Laurence.” Drax growled. “You practically sent Luka out into town with no conscience and handed him over to betray, because you know damn well what he does.”
“Drax! Please, I counteracted the potion with a spell.” Laurence practically cried. “I cast a spell that he couldn’t have sex, would be impotent, and not desire it.”
“Well that didn’t work, did it?” Prince Dominic sighed.
“No, because he didn’t wear the medallion.” Laurence whimpered. “This isn’t Luka’s fault, you know that Drax. It is mine though, I knew better. But you know I can’t handle him by myself—oh shit, forget it!”
“Of course. My cousin was in on all this.” Prince Dominic snarled. “Huh, that must have been what Marco and Baron were up to last night. Probably pulling Luka out of trouble as usual.”
Cas was listening and watching with great interest, and growing anger. What the hell was going on here?
“Hey, leave my friends out of this. You want to punish me, fine, give me their punishments if you want, but leave them alone.”
At least his mate had some morals and sense of loyalty. Cas sighed, the rage inside still burning high.
“You betrayed our sacred bond, Luka, not just once when you took the potion, but by being with others. You chose not to wear this medallion the wizard bespelled. That was your choice and yours alone. You knew you had a mate and no matter if you were panicked and alarmed, you later went out and…” Cas had to suck in a deep breath.
Still, windows shattered and ornaments fell, crashing to the ground. He reined himself in.
“He is mi
ne to punish, you will leave us,” Cas ordered.
“It appears so. I will ask my pack member a question then explain something to you that may aid in this matter, Prince Caspar.” The Alpha wasn’t asking permission.
Cas turned away.
“Luka, you’re in deep shit here and there is nothing I can do. A mate bond is sacred. I can only intervene so far. Tell me the truth now, everything is out in the open. Was it Prince Caspar you scented while scouting yesterday?”
Cas was interested. Would his mate lie again?
Surprising him, the wolf nodded then dropped his head to his chest. “Yes. Anyone got head ache tablets? I’m still a little hung over.”
“You are such an annoying shit, brother.” Drax swore. “But before you get harmed, because I won’t let you be harmed, I’ll fill the Prince in so he understands and doesn’t blow the house down around us. Aside from that being fucking annoying and painful, Xavier will be unpleasantly pissed.”
“There is nothing you can say and Luka is mine to punish as I see fit.”
“That may work in the fae kind, won’t work with pack.” Drax growled.
“Nor pride. Luka is an adopted member of my pride and we suffer no abuse to ours or others,” Dominic added fiercely.
“I-I’ll protect him with magic!” Laurence squealed.
Cas blinked at them all, then yelled. “You think I would physically, emotionally, or mentally harm my mate!”
“No,” Visij quickly denied. “Never.”
“We don’t know, but we’re making it clear here Luka is never to be harmed in any way.”
“Oh thanks, nice to know you care.” Luka grinned at his Alpha and got a growl in response.
“I really don’t know, Caspar. I protect my brother. Always. No matter what.” Drax walked over and ruffled Luka’s hair. “He’s a rare wolf, a thing of legend, or nightmare as Laurie there often refers to it as. It is said from legend that one is born from the wolves every thousand years in times when the population is at a low or there is strife in the world, danger to our kind.” Drax tilted Luka’s face up. “This is our time of strife. Renegades are trying to take over and wipe as many of us out as they can. Prides, packs, covens, herds, and others are moving closer together to combat this, work together and form alliances. Luka was born in this time and is the rare wolf. From him packs can be added to—”