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“You should’ve come to me a lot sooner than you did.”
His mom turned to face him, her eyes sparkling with tears. “I wasn’t ready, baby. I couldn’t see you and not be able to touch you. Hug my firstborn son. I wasn’t ready to leave you.”
When his mom had been murdered unexpectedly, they weren’t prepared. She’d had so many years left in her, so much life, so much joy and wisdom to spread. She’d sacrificed her life for Justice. “So the prophecy will be fulfilled,” she’d murmured while she lay dying in Justice’s arms.
It’d been a beautiful fall day. Their father would sometimes bring his family with him on the rare occasions he was visiting a pack for pleasure. The entire pack had been out running in the vibrant Cherokee Forest when humans attacked them. They’d appeared out of nowhere in camouflage, blending into the environment, disorienting them. His father had tried to guide all of them to safety but it was difficult to lead his family and the whole pack. His mother, being the fighting alpha she was, took out two human hunters and one of their vehicles by herself. But she’d had to make a split-second decision when she dove in front of the bullet intended for seventeen-year-old Justice. He’d felt so guilty for so long, until she’d finally appeared to him three years later.
“I don’t know what you sensed from me, Mom. But I’m fine, really. I’m actually getting back on the road to handle some extremely important business. I wish you’d come to me when I was home. When I had some time to myself. There’s so much I need to talk to you about.”
“I know, my dear. But I’ve come to you at exactly the right time. Everything will be revealed to you soon. I need you to be strong, my son. I love you so much. Keep an open mind, Justice… and an open heart.”
The last word drifted away onto the heaven-scented breeze, taking his mom and her radiant light with it.
“I just got word that the Alpha Zenith is on his way to Carson City as well. This will look good for you, my Lord. You’ve been here in London too long, you belong in the west, in the States. You are the King.”
“There are vampires here too, that benefit from my presence,” Wick answered indignantly. He was being combative with his new captain – the captain who’d been appointed by his father stepped down six months ago. Now Wick had a new third in his escort. His new captain was tall, well-spoken and confident, mostly. Chadwick could be remarkably intimidating, however, and he didn’t pick up any deceit from the military-trained vampire, so Wick would trust his advice until he gave him a reason not to.
Wick leaned forward to tie his leather shoes. Servants used to rush forward and try to tie them for him but he quickly put an end to all the superfluous help when he became King. He’d grown up in a home like that. He didn’t need fussing over, he could button his own shirt and tie his own shoes. A lot was getting on his nerves lately and he knew why. He didn’t want to go back to the US, especially not to exercise control over those ridiculous westernized vampires. They were hard-headed and disrespectful. He was more likely to snap their necks and move on than be worried with this nonsense another second.
Why did he have to do this policing? He had an army for that. But his freshly-appointed captain, Ermanno Giuliani, suggested he not ignore or dismiss this particular governor of Nevada. That the man had issued some pretty nasty threats that would affect a number of covens in the Southwest region of America. Now he had to leave his home and go make nice with politicians and shifters in America.
“Eighty-seven percent of all vampires live in the US of A now. That’s where you should be, my Lord.”
“Stop with all the lord stuff, okay, Erman. Lord Bentley was my father. I am not him.”
“No, you are not. You have far surpassed your predecessors, my Lo –, um, Mr. Bentley… Chad – Chadwick,” his captain stuttered. “I’m proud to serve you as my King.”
Wick laughed darkly. “Just Wick is fine. I’ve never been much for formalities.” Wick took his tailored Hugo Boss suit jacket from one of his assistants and laid it over his arm. He wouldn’t mind his comfortable Levi’s and a short-sleeved t-shirt, but that’s not how he was expected to appear in public. He was royalty. The Vampire King. Son of the great Winchester Bentley, his only vampire-born son. Chadwick was all-powerful, so he had to look the part. His father had willed his power to him after ruling for over four hundred years as the King. He now served as an advisor to the Royal Court in Romania.
