Page 51 of Quintus

“I promise you it’s going to be all right.” His lips grazed her hair as he set his jacket around her shoulders. “I’ll deal with this situation and then we’ll go to Paris.”

“Quintus…I can’t.”

“I know you need some time, little wolf. Take a shower. Get some rest. We’re leaving in the morning.”

“Okay, fine. I’ll sleep in the guest room.”

“No, you’ll sleep in my room where you’re best protected.” Although tempted to flash her away, he didn’t want to traumatize her any more than she already had been. Quintus set his palms on her shoulders and closed his eyes, sending his power to her, attempting to calm her wolf. She didn’t shut him out, yet her thoughts remained clouded.

“I can find it by myself,” she said.

“I’ll be up in a few minutes,” Quintus told her, opening his eyes. He knew it was a lie; he’d need time to talk to Mao and send her to safety. “It’s going to be all right, Gabby.”

“I…Quintus…” she sighed, without finishing her thoughts. “Forget it.”

Quintus released her shoulders, and she averted her gaze as she stepped around him. Her sad smile hinted at her disagreement, but he refused to let her simply walk out of his life. Refuting the bond would be difficult for him, but for Gabriella, a shifter, she’d likely not survive the loss of her mate.

He watched in silence as she walked away and headed toward his bedroom, his thoughts interrupted by the sound of Viktor’s voice.

“Quint, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Mao…you’d better get up there.”

“I’m going to go talk to her now.” He blew out a breath and looked to Hunter. “Alpha…”

“I’ve gotta get back to the pack,” Hunter began.

“I need a favor. I’m leaving in the morning, and I hate to ask you this but I’m thinking Mao isn’t safe here in New York. I could ask another vampire to take care of her but she’s a shifter. I’m thinking if we can get her to Kai…maybe she can help her through this transition.”

“I’m going out west in a few days. I’d be happy to keep her at the pack house. Finn’s coming back tomorrow so between the two of us, we can keep an eye out.”

“I’ll text Jake to make sure it’s okay but I’m thinking after everything Kai went through, she might benefit from being around another pixiu. I know they don’t have packs but she’s new to the whole shifter arena.”

“Look Quintus. I know this might not be easy for someone like you. As old as you. But ya gotta go easy on Gabriella, okay? She’s nearly a pup. You did the right thing letting her run with me. I’m sure you could feel it but just in case you vamps can’t, I didn’t ask her to submit to me. That’s your place, not mine.”

“I don’t want to see her hurt any more than she already is,” Quintus responded, his face serious.

“Hey man, I’m not mated but I know the score. When this shit happens, the last thing a wolf, Alpha or not, wants to do is get in between unmated wolves.” Hunter’s eyebrows rose as he shook his head. “But you’ve gotta tread lightly, vamp. Because that girl of yours…something about her. She’s young but the magick is strong. I could feel it tonight and there’s something…I can’t put my finger on it.”

“She’s a hybrid.” Something about her magick was special. Quintus kept the thought to himself and continued, “It doesn’t matter. I know what you’re saying. I owe you one for helping her. And I’ll owe you again for Mao. But the thing is, with her…”

“I’ll do my best but you know she’s not wolf, right?” Hunter asked.

“A very long time ago, she was my mate. We’d begun the bond but didn’t complete it. Our pairing was rare.”

“It’s rare for a vampire to mate with a wolf. Or a witch,” Viktor interjected.

“Everyone has been misled to think we only bond with humans, but it happens. We find other supernaturals every now and then. All I know is that I don't want to see Gabriella hurt,” Quintus said, reflecting on his choice to help her.

“I’ve got to tell you, I’m not sure how or if Mao was your mate before…it just seems like, with wolves anyway, that bond, it’s not something that simply goes away. Not for a minute. Not for one thousand years. Wolves only have one mate.”

“I don’t have answers. All I can guess is that something may have happened to her in Hell. I’ve been walking around on this earth for years and never once after she went over the cliff did I sense her. My guess is whatever found her…”

“Whatever took her,” Viktor corrected.

“They must’ve done something to her. Or the bond. Something happened. I need time alone with her to know for sure. Back there with Absinthe…I knew it was Mao from the second she walked in, but I can’t explain it…my craving, everything about the pull on my soul…this bond…it’s Gabriella, not her.”

“If it’s any consolation, wolves go through this shit all the time. Take me for example, I’ve gone a long time without complications. I’ve been lucky. Tristan. He went down like a deck of cards. But that’s usually how it happens.”

“I can’t say what’s happening or why. All I do know is that Gabriella belongs to me. Whatever happened with Mao, it’s over. I feel like we all need to be cautious. Both of you need to be careful around her.”