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Wick slowly lifted his head, smiling. A feeling of brotherhood and warmth enveloping him.
“What is it Wick?” Ramon looked up from his own paperwork.
Wick liked how easily Ramon went back to casualness when the officials were no longer listening. He’d been promoted to captain and was now Wick’s third. His second was finally on the way. Wick never should’ve left his best friend in London. He’d needed him. And that whole debacle with Erman probably never would’ve happened because his Lord High would’ve torn Erman’s head off way before Wick ordered it done. They were all still sitting in the large conference room on the back side of the cabin making travel arrangements for the rest of his court. He couldn’t wait for them… especially Bell.
“Why are you smiling?” Ramon asked.
“We’re about to have company. And they’re having quite a bit of fun as they arrive.”
“Who?”
“Justice is coming back… with his betas, his two brothers... no, three brothers.”
The other vampires looked around at each other, unsure of what to do. They’d encountered the oldest two already and nothing bad had transpired. Wick knew it wouldn’t. They were too grown for the bullshit. The petty squabbles that sometimes erupted between the species were caused by the more undisciplined.
“Have Henry put together a few pieces of attire so they can cover themselves when they arrive.” Wick was already up and moving towards the entrance.
He opened both doors wide – his men standing behind him – at the same time four white and gray wolves trotted out of the woods and across the lawn. Justice was easy to recognize because he was the largest, and while he had dark tips on his ears and dustings of dark gray over his back and sides, his fur was mostly white. The other brothers looked almost identical, like triplets. Large white and gray animals with startling blue eyes.
“Welcome back.”
Justice led the group up the steps, stopping directly in front of Wick. He could tell he was talking to his brothers, so Wick waited. His mate finally shifted and opened his arms, pulling Wick in tight. No one disturbed them, their respect and love for each other was radiating in the air and it was meant to unite.
“How was your day… um… night?”
“Productive. I have a lot to discuss with you. Thank you for bringing your brothers.”
Mac was the first one to shift, his nose high in the air. “What in the world is that delicious smell? I didn’t think vampires ate meat.”
Wick laughed. “Nice to see you again, Macauley.”
Henry quickly hurried over, his dark, black eyes on the floor as he politely presented a folded pair of sweats and a plain white t-shirt to Mac.
“Sorry. We forget about the nudity sometimes.” Mac took the clothes, as did the rest of them, and dressed before they came inside.
Wow, now they looked like quadruplets, dressed in the exact same white shirt and dark sweats. The Volkovs had some damn gorgeous genes.
“And you’re right, Mac, we don’t eat food. Henry has been in this kitchen all evening and I’m pretty sure it was in preparation of Justice returning. You’re welcome to come in and see what he’s done. I’m certainly intrigued.”
After all the introductions were made, Henry was the first one thrust into the spotlight. Who knew shifters loved food that much? They were practically drooling all over Henry’s beautiful lamb display. The side dishes of fingerling potatoes – he believed that’s what he’d called them – looked just like in the picture in the cookbook next to the stove.
“Oh my gosh. It wouldn’t do for the ladies to see this, especially Farica. She thinks she’s a good cook, but she has nothing on you Henry.” Mac said, dipping his finger in a saucepot, which had Alek slapping him in the back of the head.
Alek’s movements were swift, like he’d been popping his little brother all his life. “Can you act like you have manners?”
“If I have to act, then I shouldn’t bother,” Mac mouthed off to Alek, rubbing the back of his head, but he didn’t dare stick his finger back in that pot.
Henry’s cheeks held a very faint tint of pinkness. “I made plenty. So feel free to join Justice at the table and I’ll bring—”
It was as if Alek and Mac had only been waiting for the words plenty or join because Henry didn’t get a chance to finish his words before he was politely but urgently moved out of the way while the large shifters grabbed plates and utensils and started shoveling potatoes on their plates. Henry had to duck and dodge eager arms and rambunctious appetites as he dared attempt to fix Justice’s plate in the midst of Mac and Alek tussling over who got to cut the meat. It was only by the grace of the Mother that Henry made it out okay. The other vampires sure got a kick out of it. It ended up being the best icebreaker.
