“So say you de la Luna?”
“Aye.”
Blake’s heart twisted for Marchessa. Her father had just voted against her, knowing the punishment.
“So say you, Remus?”
“Aye.”
“So say you, Woolven?”
“No,” Blake said.
“So say you, Rommulus?”
“No.”
“After seeing the footage, I must say aye, she is a danger to the nations. And as it is my turn to sit, to command these proceedings, it is also my vote that is the tie-breaker. Marchessa Rommulus, it is the finding of this Council that you be beheaded and burned until you are ash. This sentence shall be carried out immediately.” He looked at Antony. “You will comply, or there will be war.”
“Then it is to be war.” Antony threw the table at DeVaughn and transformed into his bipedal form. “Let it come!”
Blake stood with Warner beside him and they walked with intent and purpose to the other side of the room. “We stand with Rommulus.”
Armand dropped his glamour. “Ardennes stands with Rommulus.”
The witches stopped their chanting and the opposing faction was gathered into a tight circle of protective magic.
“I knew we should’ve brought Westwood,” Warned grumbled.
Grigori grinned, his canines sharp. “Yes, it is to be war.”
And they disappeared from the room, taking Peter Breslin with them.
Chapter Sixteen
In the aftermath, Marchessa said, “I don’t want there to be war because of me.”
“If it wasn’t because of you, it would be because of something else,” Blake reassured her.
“I don’t know why Grigori wants war, but he does,” Antony said.
Blake was just trying to figure that out. Unless he wanted Marchessa’s mutation for himself? It was possible, but he had the feeling that Remus’s involvement went deeper. It couldn’t be so simple. If he wanted something from Marchessa, it would be a simple task to speak to Antony.
“I’ll have my contacts at the US State Department dig up what they can on Grigori. Last I knew, he was wanted in the US for human trafficking and other crimes,” Warner said.
“I didn’t mean to drag us to war. But I won’t let them take her,” Antony said, his breathing coming in erratic gasps as he swallowed down his fury. “I can stand alone against my brother.”
“As if I would let that happen,” Blake said.
“We know well the price of war,” Warner said quietly. “And still, we stand with you.”
“My father wants me dead,” Marchessa whispered.
“I don’t think he really wants you dead. I think he’s just a selfish bastard who got in too deep.” Antony tried to console her.
“He tried to warn me.”
“These things are what they are. We can’t change our sires,” Antony said.
Marchessa made a face.
“No, Marchessa. I know what you’re thinking. And I forbid it.”
“My life for many? My life for our pack? My life for you?” She said this last more quietly. “Yes.”
“You are an Alpha in every way, Marchessa. But sometimes, war is worth it. Sometimes there’s a poison that has to be rooted out, the cancer excised so new life can grow,” Blake reassured her.
“I can’t let anyone die for me.”
“Then fight. Fight for yourself. Fight for your pack. Fight for us,” Antony said.
“Of course I’ll fight,” Marchessa said.
Watching the intimate moment pass between them, he felt he was in the presence of something great, something true and right. Just the way he felt when he was with Randi.
“We all will. And they’ll rue this day when they all die screaming,” Antony promised.
“Come to Aphelion. I have some new and exciting things to show you,” Blake said with a grin. “As well as improved security. We’ve got our jet at the airport. We’re heading to Aphelion now. You’re welcome to fly with us,” Blake offered.
“We’ll catch up. We need to fortify Roluscany before we leave,” Marchessa replied. “But thank you for the offer.”
“Get in touch when you know something. You have my numbers.” Antony put his hand on Marchessa’s back. “I’ll do the same. You gave up your chance to demand a public reckoning from Vittorio to save Marchessa. I’ll help you find out who killed David Rutger.”
“I appreciate the support, but I think I know who.” He knew de la Luna was involved, but there were other players he hadn’t considered that suddenly made horrible sense.
“Thank you.” Antony nodded.
“Take good care of yourselves. We’ll be in touch soon, I’m sure.” Blake turned to Warner and they headed out to catch a taxi.
“We need to make Maribella DeVaughn a Woolven before this goes any farther. That will give some leverage with William and maybe sway his stance. You know this war is about more than Marchessa.”
“Yeah.” He nodded. “I’ll check in with Parker and see where he is with the courting. I think we need to go to St. Petersburg.”
“See what the Vampyr know?” Warner nodded. “Do you think they’re involved in David’s death?”
“It only makes sense. What you said about Grigori being wanted for human trafficking? He was involved somehow, otherwise, he wouldn’t have been so quick to condemn Marchessa. My guess is that he was in on the tech deal and may’ve already sold something he didn’t have to the Vampyr.”
“Didn’t you say you had him working on some kind of bullet that would work as well as a stake?” Warner said.
“Blessed Ash.”
“Maybe that’s the tech he was after. And when Rutger wouldn’t give it up, he killed him and knew de la Luna would take the fall.”
“I’ve been over and over his house. I didn’t smell any other wolves.”
“He was probably killed elsewhere and the house staged by human helpers. Humans under Vampyr influence.”
“Goddess damn it,” Blake swore. “I want you and Drew back at Aphelion. I’m taking Randi with me to St. Petersburg.”
“Wise choice, Blake. Randi needs some space to run free and explore what she is without your influence holding her in check. Or she’ll never learn to control herself.”
“And I need to talk to Evgeni.”
“Promise him Breslin.” Warner flashed his teeth in a grin.
“For the cages? I don’t know how wise that is. He could pass on his silver immunity to the berserkers.”
Warner shrugged. “How much faith do you have in your team?”
Blake scrubbed a hand over his face.
“Are you sure you want to face Evgeni alone? Aphelion is safe. You’ll be exposed.”
“I know.” Blake sighed. “But if I can’t protect myself and my mate, I don’t deserve to be Alpha.”
“There’s strength and then there’s stupidity. You’re walking into a den of leeches.”
“Evgeni and I have an understanding of sorts. Do you remember when we offered him sanctuary at Aphelion?”
“How could I forget? The place stank of rot and death for ten years after he’d gone.” Warner wrinkled his nose. “Fucking leeches.”
“I’ll call you from St. Petersburg.”
Warner growled his disapproval, but with a quick look to his uncle, the other wolf kept his counsel. Growls and all.
He found Randi packed at the hotel, just as he’d instructed, sharing breakfast with Drew.
Now that she was marked, his brother’s presence only soothed him rather than making him feel like he needed to tear the heads off all males present. He knew she was protected.
“What happened?” Drew asked.
Blake brought him up to speed. “Fuck.” Drew sighed. “But we knew it would come to this, we just didn’t know how far or how deep the betrayal ran. You want me to take Randi back to Aphelion?”
“No, she’s coming with me to St. Petersburg. I think there are answers there about David. I need you to fortify Aphelion and De
n Hollow. Have Westwood up our warding and Warner will enforce the perimeter.”
“We might have a situation,” Drew began.
“What now?” Blake cocked a brow. He didn’t think it could get much more serious. “Did Westwood fall and break a hip?”
“I’m telling her you said that.” Drew grinned, but then the expression faded back down into a frown. “No, Parker called.”
Blake closed his eyes with a heavy exhale. “What did he do?”
“He’s married,” Drew said.
“But?”
“But he married Belle Vaughn, waitress. Not Maribella DeVaughn, heiress.”
“Have the lawyers pay her off, get it annulled… blah blah.” This really didn’t require his attention.
Drew scratched his head. “It’s already hit the papers. And the Woolven Industries board.”
“Mother of Fuck,” he swore. “Well, he made his bed, he’s going to have to lie in it. And so are we. Damn, we really needed to secure an alliance with DeVaughn, or at this point, even some leverage.”
“There’s more.”
“How much more can there be?” Blake sank into one of the chairs.
“Maribella is currently en route to Aphelion. Apparently, Alpha DeVaughn sent her before the Great Council. And get this… in a limo. He didn’t want her to fly. Something about a crash in Mexico on an Alpha’s private jet? Our lawyers called this morning to say that they got the wedding license, already signed by her, along with her dowry portfolio. They faxed it to me for Parker to marry her by proxy.”
Blake nodded. “That makes sense about the crash. That was Marchessa and Antony Rommulus. This whole thing is bigger than we could’ve guessed. Drew, I hate to ask, but we need to secure the DeVaughn heiress now.”
“Give me the paper. I’ll sign it,” Warner interrupted. “I’ll mate her.”
It made the most sense. Drew was the Woolven Beta. It only made sense that his mating would be used to secure a bigger prize than DeVaughn. Blake had never even considered his uncle might want a match, although from the look on his scarred face, it didn’t seem so much of a want as a need for the pack.
But Warner had sacrificed enough.
“Are you sure? I arranged the match with Parker because they’re both kind of a pill.”
“Yeah, it’s fine. We financed the secret tech with DoD money based on the expected acquisitions from DeVaughn. If we don’t produce what we promised, we could lose a lot of money and a lot of support. We never said which brother was going to marry her. We’ll present it as a love match.” Warner nodded.
“What if the heiress doesn’t agree?” Drew asked.
“She’ll have her share of the Woolven fortune and she won’t want to lose face. That’s all Maribella DeVaughn really cares about. Social standing and cold, hard cash. I doubt she’s ever even run through the mud,” Blake supplied. “If you’re sure, Warner?”
“Yeah, pup. I’m sure. Give me the damn paper and fax it to our attorneys. It’ll be signed, sealed and delivered by the time she gets to Aphelion. It’ll be done. And I’ll secure it the old-fashioned way.”
“You can’t mean to steal her out of the convoy?”
“Why not? They’ll be coming through Denver. Have Randi hack her phone and get a location,” Warner grumbled.
“Have you thought about, you know, maybe asking her?” Randi offered.
“No. In the current state of affairs, her father may instruct her to turn back. For the pack, the pack above all else.” Blake said.
“That’s dickish.”
“So is selling your daughter to the highest bidder,” Blake countered.
“I don’t approve,” Randi said. “Promise me you won’t hurt her.”
Warner scowled again. “I won’t hurt her. Well, except for biting her.”
“Unacceptable. Get her to say yes to your bite. This isn’t the old days where a wolf can just go around biting females he likes. Get. Permission.” Randi demanded.
Warner scowled. “Didn’t say I wouldn’t get her permission, but I am stealing her.”
“Fine. Get me a laptop and her phone number,” Randi said. “But be gentle when you steal her. Tell her why you’re doing it, and explain you’re not some rabid wolf…at least, I don’t think you are.”
“I’m not.” His growl was deep.
Blake placed himself firmly between his uncle and Randi. “Don’t growl at her.”
“Girl can hold her own.”
“She can, but she shouldn’t have to,” Blake reminded him gently.
“Why the hell not? You don’t want weakling pups.”
Blake snarled at his uncle, his muzzle transforming just enough to snap at the snarly, scarred wolf. Warner just laughed.
“Fine, fine.” He waved him off. “I’ll text you updates.”
“We leave separately. Call the airfield and take the chartered flight back to the states. Randi and I will fly commercial to St. Petersburg, but send the Woolven jet so it’s ready when we are.”
“Got it.” Drew nodded. He took another piece of bacon off the table. “Mm, Little pig, little pig.”
“I thought that was Blake’s line?” Randi said.
“Now you’re talking.” Drew winked at her on his way out the door and Warner followed.
“Blake, I didn’t want to say this in front of Warner and Drew, but I really don’t like this plan for Maribella.”
“Look, she’s already married by proxy to Warner. She knew that was part of the deal. Courting with wolves is… different. It’s actually a compliment for Warner to steal her.”
Randi raised a brow. “Hauling her off like chattel and biting her without her permission is a compliment?”
“It’ll all work out. You’ll see.” Blake nodded.
“If it doesn’t, I’ll help her get to a situation that she’s happy with. Fair warning.”
“Whatever makes you happy.” He was confident that, while Maribella would initially be pissed at her treatment, the wolf in her would not. It would all come together.
Hopefully for Warner, too. He’d been alone a long time.
“Don’t placate me.”
“I’m going to do more than placate you as soon as I get you to some wild, dark forest,” he promised her.
“Don’t change the subject either.”
But a pretty blush stained her cheeks.
For a moment, fear grabbed him by the throat. He had everything he’d ever wanted. He had a strong female who saw him for who he really was, they were about to start a life together. His family… his company.
And he was about to put it all on the line.
The decision was his and his alone. The weight of it was suddenly suffocating.
Randi’s arms wrapped around him. “Hey, where did you go?”
“I’m here.” He rested his chin on top of her head. “I’m right here.”
“You don’t have to shoulder this alone. Don’t second guess yourself. You’ve come this far. I haven’t seen war, but look at how you’ve led your pack, your company. It’s successful because of your decisions.”
“And if it all crashes and burns, the people who die, the people who suffer, that’s all because of my decisions, too.” Blake inhaled deeply and confessed, “I don’t want to lose you.”
“You won’t.”
“My parents were both killed because of a war with de la Luna.” Confessing his fears, it didn’t feel weak. He didn’t feel like any less of an Alpha for sharing his feelings with her.
He didn’t feel like he was putting down the mantle so much as sharing the mantle with her, as his partner.
His mate.
Oh Goddess, he couldn’t lose her. But a sense of dread hung over him like a shadow, letting him know exactly that would happen.
“I’m not going anywhere, Blake. And God help the man or beast that tries to take me from you.”
Chapter Seventeen
So, vampires were a thing. Or, the Vampyr as Blake called them.
&nb
sp; She supposed it made sense. She was a werewolf. They were going to Russia to meet vampires.
Randi wasn’t sure which she found more unbelievable—vampires, or that Blake Woolven, billionaire, occasionally flew commercial. That was something she was never going to do again if she didn’t have to.
One trip on the private jet, and she’d been spoiled for life. The private jet was all about luxury and comfort. While they sat in first class, at her size and hip ratio, she’d still felt cramped and not just a bit cranky after the four hour flight.
She replayed the events over in her head as they were ushered to a car directly on the tarmac.
Randi wondered how her father had taken all of this in.
God, she missed him.
He’d have been so excited at the prospect of such fantastic things being reality. Above all, he was a scientist. He’d have been so curious about this new world around him. She finally let herself believe he wouldn’t have been afraid.
He would never have taken his own life, no matter what he saw or discovered. Not when their secret opened up whole new world for him to play in.
She hadn’t really let herself grieve him. Before, she was just angry. Before, she could focus on destroying Blake and Woolven Industries, but now this was where she belonged and she didn’t have any walls left to shut out the pain.
Now that she was alone with it, her grief dug sharp claws into her heart. She was alone in the world. She had Blake, which afforded a level of security, of safety. But being without her father and her mother, she felt adrift, abandoned, orphaned.
Losing her father ripped away an inherent security blanket, a sense that things would always, somehow, be okay.
They would only be okay if she made them okay.
No one could do it for her now, not even Blake.
She touched her fingers to the tender place on her neck where he’d marked her. It grounded her, helped her feel like she could build a new foundation.
But nothing would ever be the same again.
Rage burned for what was taken from her.
Blake’s hand tightened on her arm, a firm, solid grip. Just enough pressure to get her attention. “You’re hovering right on the edge of the Change. Whatever you’re thinking about, think about something else. You can’t walk into a murder of Vampyr like that.”
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