AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Until he wasn’t?” I repeated, my words stumbling out as I tried to make sense of it all.
Ricardo nodded. “He attacked a student, riled up the local pack and students to prevent Rome from claiming her as his fated mate. He saw some kind of danger in their union that I still, to this day, don’t understand. After he was stopped, he was sent off to the council to be dealt with, but he never made it. He disappeared without so much as a scent trail to follow.”
I nodded as I crossed my arms and leaned back in my chair. “That’s certainly Minerva’s specialty, it seems. And from the sounds of it, it’s most dark witches ‘go to trick’ when teaming up with others. Madie told me more about the incident in San Diego with a dark witch and an ancient vampire.”
Mom and Dad didn’t seem that surprised at the mention of an ancient vampire in San Diego, but Edwardo and Ricardo let out gasps.
“I think there could be a connection there,” I continued.
“That ancient vampire and his dark witch are dead,” Mom reminded me. “So, what connection are you suggesting?”
“While they might be gone, I believe they were working to bring about a change to the world as we know it. A fall back into time. Like they were preparing for something, or someone.” I pointed to the book in Ricardo’s hand. “I have a strong feeling that whatever it might have been they were preparing for, Minerva is preparing for this as well.”
My parents shared a brief, knowing look before redirecting their attention towards me. “Do you have any clues to what that might be?” mom asked.
I let out a frustrated huff, the sound echoing through the room. “Not yet. There are so many ancient beings to go over. I’m not even sure if all of them are still alive. I need to get eyes on the locations of their last known whereabouts, see if they are still around, asleep or otherwise.”
Mom looked down at dad and touched his shoulder. “Are there any in Alaska?”
I thought for a moment before nodding. “I believe there is an ancient vampire that lived in that area a long time ago. He didn’t have a witch willing to grant him protection from the sun, so living there gave him more opportunity to hunt as he pleased.”
“Give me the location then,” dad said. “I’ll look into it while I’m visiting the pack up there.”
“I’m not sure if it’s a good idea to search on your own, Dad,” I said. “I know you’re strong and all, but ancients are not to be underestimated.”
“I won’t be alone. The pack has an adopted daughter in their ranks. She’s a powerful witch in her own right. She’s part of why I’m visiting. Your mother is offering her family an invitation for the young lady to come to our school next semester.”
“Even so,” I sighed.
“Just give me the location, son. I won’t engage the beast. I’ll just see if he’s there. You said you needed eyes on the locations, so let me do that for you just this once,” Dad commanded. There was a slight tinge of his alpha voice in the words, something I don’t think he meant to add, but his habit of leading people had taken over.
“Fine,” I sighed. “I’ll go to the library later to get it for you, and you’ll have it before your morning flight. Just promise me you’ll be careful. The vampire was notorious for keeping pets that could shift into different forms. Dark creatures who the Inuit people still tell stories of.”
“Just send me all the information you have,” Dad said, rising to his feet, “so I can track him down and watch out for the creatures he keeps.” “Now, I don’t have to remind you all, but in my absence, Brady is acting as Alpha. My Luna will be here, but she is busy with other important details, so all pack business is to fall to my son.”
Both Ricardo and Edwardo nodded their heads in agreement. I wouldn’t expect either of them to protest or challenge my father’s decision to leave me in charge. They never have. It was the rest of the pack that my father should be giving this speech to. The pack didn’t always seem to remember that I was their alpha’s flesh and blood son.
“Then I will end this meeting now. Brady, get me that information as soon as possible. I’d like to go over it on the plane. It’ll be a long enough flight as it is, may as well have something to occupy my time.”
“I’ll get right on it,” I said, springing to my feet with determination, “but first, I need to check in with my mate.”
I didn’t miss the way both of my parents smirked, their eyes twinkling mischievously, as if they shared a secret.
“Take your time, Sweetie,” Mom said. “Your father isn’t leaving until morning. There’s no rush; you have plenty of time to do what he asked.”
I didn’t hesitate to leave, not when my mate was clearly upset with me.
Chapter Nineteen
Madilyn
I nervously paced, my vulnerability intensifying as tears pushed against my defenses. Confusion clouded my thoughts. Why had I reacted so harshly towards Brady? He had never criticized my solo patrols, not even after the vampire’s attack. So, what had triggered my outburst this time?
What was wrong with me? I had just jumped down Brady’s throat, completely unprovoked. There was no sign that that’s what he had meant. He never chastised me about my patrols before. Not even after the vampire had attacked me, so why did I feel like he was now?
My hand instinctively settled over my stomach, my gaze dropping. “Is this your doing? Not even born yet and already making your mommy crazy.” I murmured, half in wonder, half in exasperation.
“That’s what pups do to you,” came Alma’s voice, startling me from my reverie.
