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They all nodded in understanding. There wasn’t a single scent of fear or stress in the large SUV, only the purpose and focus of his men. There was no need for any of them to be afraid. The men Wick and his captain chose were the best of the best in his court, in their entire species. They’d been well briefed on the subject of his fated Beloved and without thought, each of them immediately reminded Wick of their allegiance to him and that it was unbreakable. No matter what the situation.
“Isn’t your Beloved supposed to already trust and care deeply at the first scent of you?” Another vampire asked from the last row.
Wick didn’t like anyone thinking that there was a malfunction in his link to his mate. Technically, it was true. His mate should already be craving him. Wick believed Justice was aching, because heaven knows Wick was barely able to shield his worried scent, he was in such a state. “Justice and I are not ordinary Beloved souls. He’s the Alpha Zenith. It was silly of me to expect him to fall into my arms, tilt his head and bare his throat for me.”
“You’ve never steered away from a challenge, sir,” Wick’s captain said, his shaded eyes still on the brightly-lit, well-worn path that led down to the Humboldt pack’s land. The sun was still shining but setting quickly. Behind the blacked-out windows, Wick’s vampires were safe.
As they rounded a sharp bend, cabins and log buildings came into view. There were four large shifters standing at the gated entrance, cautiously watching them approach. Wick saw the one on the end pull out his cell phone and make a quick call.
“He probably called the Alpha,” his Lord Protector said.
“I’m hoping he did,” Wick answered. “Make sure you slow down a little more and stop several feet from them.”
His captain did as Wick instructed. The shifter was asked to come around to Wick’s side so the sun wouldn’t filter in and touch Erman. “I’m here with a gift for your Alpha Zenith. He already knows I’m here.”
Two identical brown wolves ran down the side of the mountain and communicated something to the shifters at the gate, because they stepped aside and told Wick how much farther he had to go to get to the Alpha’s side of the property. As they drove over the worn, dirt road, they heard warning howls go up. Wick wouldn’t take offense. Vampires were on their land, of course they’d make sure the pack was tucked away safely.
Wick looked around at the beautiful scenery of the Humboldt’s vast land. Acres and acres. The rolling greens where they’d cleared the trees were nothing short of picturesque. Cabins were everywhere. Farms and livestock were being cared for. Wick saw at least two schools, and even a couple makeshift stores.
“They’re looking a little hostile, Captain,” Ramon noted, turning and watching all angles of their vehicle, especially Wick’s side.
“They’re just going about their jobs. It’s curiosity. Nothing more. Vampires probably don’t visit every day.”
Wick was about to agree with his captain but stopped short when he caught sight of the row of shifters standing in front of a large two-story home with sand-colored, handcrafted logs and a huge wraparound porch. Better craftsmanship than any one hundred story skyscraper Wick had ever seen. It looked to be the pack’s hierarchy. They stood in a diamond formation with his Beloved standing in the front. Another large man was to his left and Wick assumed that to be this pack’s Alpha because the man on Justice’s right was his beta and brother. Wick remembered him from the police station. Several more men spanned down the line, with a few women mixed in. All looking strong and ready for whatever was about to happen. Aside from the few men milling about, working or surveying the grounds, the land was void of any other pack members.
Even through the dark windows the shifters could see them. The sun was just at the tip of the tall redwoods behind the cabin, casting the open sky in an array of striking golds and ambers, before it disappeared for the night. This was the moment he’d waited for. Wick hadn’t tried to use his link with Justice, scared to attempt it only to find it gone. He’d felt the apprehension from his Beloved when he thought of how they could live and exist together even though they were so different. Wick wasn’t all that dissimilar from his gorgeous mate, which he was about to show him. Wick opened the door and stepped out, the bright sun hitting him in his face. He tilted his head up and smiled at the romantic sky. The warmth felt lovely on his typically cool skin. The gasps and murmurs of disbelief were easily heard… including his Beloved’s.
