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The fact that his mate was a police officer caused a slight chill to settle in his mind. The danger was real and prevalent, and his wolf had a problem being away from the man. This was Danny's job, and Parc understood he would have to get used to the level of danger he was in.
His mate was new to Cincinnati and the department and was presently assigned desk duty which, he was ashamed to admit, was a relief for both Parc and his wolf. He only knew Danny for a few short minutes, but he was certain that he was not satisfied with being stuck inside the station. Danny was pulled in for the supposed raid last night simply because they needed more men, and few were available.
He pulled the business card from his pocket and flipped it to stare at the cell number on the back. Parc planned to call as soon as he figured his mate would be awake. The waiting was hard, and the minutes ticked by slowly.
"I have the information on the vampire that hit on you last night." Zeke approached him from the back hall, and Parc invited him to take a seat. Parc was having coffee at one of the tables in the Club's main room. He arrived at work early, half hoping that Danny might stop by when he got off, but it was a long shot. He was human and probably still trying to figure out why he was so drawn to the handsome bartender.
“What do you have?” Parc asked and signaled the bar staff to bring Zeke a cup of coffee.
“His name is Victory Storm.” He smirked.
“Are you kidding?” Parc raised his eyebrows. Zeke shook his head.
"Victory Storm, known as Vic, is a vampire with no known coven affiliation." Zeke opened his tablet and began flipping through CCTV pictures from around Cincinnati. The cameras were accessed from various businesses around town but primarily on their street and from various clubs that spanned the strip.
“As you can see, he has met with muscle associated with the coven out of Cleveland and also the Dominion Coven from Columbus. After each meeting, either the Zephyr or one of the other clubs is hit with a raid. Most often, it has been us that they have been focusing upon." Zeke pointed out the men in question and the time stamps. "Then there is a follow-up meeting shortly after the raid." He showed him the meets and the corresponding time stamps.
"If he's making all the complaints, wouldn't that become obvious to the authorities? They're not that stupid or willing to waste resources on a string of false allegations." Parc was sensing others were involved but for what purpose. Closing them or others on the strip would not change the demographics similar clubs would open, for that was the nature of this part of town.
"They have a specific plan in mind. I believe either Cleveland or the Dominion Coven are plotting to take over this strip. Maybe they're working together, but I doubt it." Zeke had some genuinely troubling information, but it was ringing true based on his evidence and the actions of the past month.
“What does Cross say?”
"I gave him all this before I came here to meet you. I'm sure we'll be hearing from him shortly." Zeke told him, scrolled through a few more pages, and handed the tablet to Parc. "If you hadn't asked me to look into that character Victory Storm, we would still be blind to the actions that are coming against us." Zeke sounded upset with himself.
“We would have figured it out soon enough. The guy was getting sloppy and was much too eager to get me into a compromising position in the back. He knew what he was doing, made the call, and then acted his part in front of the cops. Thankfully I was not that desperate." He patted Zeke on the shoulder. Their attention was then captured by Cross, who came thundering into the room and over to their table.
“I got your report, Zeke.” He said, and Parc invited him to sit with them, which he did. Zeke gave him the rundown that he'd given Parc, along with his own thoughts on the subject.
“My money is on Dominion; Anton Grasse is their Master.” Cross leaned back in his seat and crossed his arms on his chest. “Grasse has been building his territory in Columbus by forcing out other paranormal groups. He may be trying to do the same here in Cincinnati.”
“That’s a long reach seems he would focus on targets closer to home.” Parc offered.
"There's money in Cincinnati, and Grasse likes money." Cross turned to Zeke. "Find out what you can on the Dominion Coven and Grasse, in particular, see if he has already started making inroads in this area."
"I believe undermining us is his first step," Zeke told him and then added. "I did a deep dive on him once I connected Vic with Dominion muscle." That sentence grabbed everyone's attention. "Apart from us, they have begun to report infractions from zoning to health and illicit activities against the Underground Lounge and Disconnect. Both clubs are owned by shifters, and the staff are predominantly paranormal." He glanced around the table. "Dominion wants to be the big dogs they don't want to share. They're coming after us because we are a pack; we have an Alpha; we are strong and settled."
"Take out the strongest, and the rest will fold." Parc theorized, and Zeke nodded.
“Bring Lowell up to speed with what’s happening when he comes in. His skills are going to be needed in the days ahead.” He instructed Zeke. “I’ll find out why the cops are taking these nuisance calls and acting on them and you, Parc. . .” He turned to regard his Beta, "You will spend the day getting to know your mate. Pursue him, Parc, and bring him home as soon as possible." He patted him on the shoulder.
Parc chuckled and set his phone on the table. "He got off shift at six, so I thought I'd let him sleep for a few hours before disturbing him." He explained why he was waiting, and both Zeke and Cross nodded.
“He’s waiting for your call, and I doubt he is doing much sleeping," Cross told him with a knowing look that left Parc believing every word. "He's human, but let me tell you, humans feel the pull and the desire for their mate much as we do. Whatever you are feeling right now, I'd guess that your man is feeling at about eighty percent, which is a powerful drive. Don't make him wait to make your call." He tapped the phone, and then he and Zeke got up and headed toward the bar leaving Parc to his privacy.
Parc felt the flood of feelings engulf him at the mere thought of his stunning mate. He trusted his Alpha and his Alpha's experiences, so he placed his call and waited. It rang several times, and then the heartwarming sound of his mate's voice filled him.
"Hello, Parc; I'm glad you called." His joy was evident in his tone, and Parc could not help being touched by his obvious desire.
“I hope I didn’t wake you.” He offered, knowing that it was early for someone who got off at six in the morning.
"Not at all; I'm up and having my breakfast." He assured.
"I wanted to ask you out . . . for coffee perhaps this afternoon." Parc didn't want to make big demands but desperately wanted to see him today.
"That sounds like a great idea." Danny agreed readily. "How about we meet at the Crash Coffee house? It's just a block up from your club." He offered, and Parc was ecstatic.
“Three o’clock work for you?” Parc asked. His excitement was obvious, and he didn't care. His mate was not someone he was going to hide his feeling from.
