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Never again. Eleazar would never protect a wolf, no matter the consequences. Maybe Zakrem had been right. Maybe Eleazar had grown too soft.
But as he sat there, his anger slowly dissipated, replaced by a deep sense of loss. He missed his brother, despite everything. He missed the days when things were simpler, when he didn’t have to worry about the safety of his people or the disloyalties of those closest to him.
Then his mind went back to his two most sacred vows. Never let the humans know they existed and always keep the balance. Wolves were never to outnumber the vampires in Ridgeway and vice versa.
He stood up and walked over to the window, looking out at the city below. The neon lights of the nightclubs and bars flickered in the darkness, a stark contrast to the quiet stillness of the sky. Eleazar knew he couldn’t afford to be weak, not now.
He had to be strong, for himself and for his people. He had to be ruthless, to show the others that he would not tolerate any more lawlessness or disobedience.
As he watched the city sleep, a small part of him wondered if he was making the right choice. Was he becoming too much like his brother, too focused on his own needs? Or was he simply doing what needed to be done to protect his people and his way of life?
Eleazar didn’t know the answer, but he did know one thing for certain. He couldn’t let himself be vulnerable again.
He turned away from the window and made his way to the door. It was time to take action, to show everyone who was in charge. The consequences of failure were too great, and he would do whatever it took to maintain control over his city.
Chapter Four
Brooklyn pulled up to the apartment building and parked. He stepped out of his car, enjoying the warm afternoon sun on his skin as he strode toward the front door of the three-story brick building laced with ivy.
His gaze drifted toward the small, gated courtyard to his left and was met with an idyllic scene—lush green grass, blooming flowers, and several wooden benches tucked under trees or lining the small pathway. He could barely contain his peace of mind as he continued on, noticing French doors that opened up onto intricate wrought-iron balconies for each unit.
It really seemed like an oasis tucked inside a bustling city. He found himself lost in the aura of the cozy, tree-lined street. The smell of freshly roasted coffee beans wafted from the small cafe beside what he hoped would be his new home, and he heard faint pleasant music emanating from a yoga studio above it. Two doors down was a florist boasting an array of selections that Brooklyn wanted to purchase to make his apartment feel more vibrant.
When he stepped inside the building, he was greeted by the sound of classical music coming from one of the units. The haunting melody seemed to calm him, making him feel at peace as he noticed the manager’s door to his right. He knocked then waited until an older woman answered.
She stood at a petite height, her slender figure boasting glossy black hair with streaks of silver. Her vibrant green eyes sparkled, and her smile illuminated her entire being. “You must be my one o’clock appointment.” She stepped back and waved Brooklyn inside. “Punctuality goes a long way with me.” She stuck out her hand. “I’m Bethany Adaway.”
“Brooklyn Garcia. May I ask if that’s a recording I hear or if someone is really playing.”
“We have a lot of artists who reside here,” Bethany boasted proudly. “May I ask what you do for a living?”
“Interior design.” And Brooklyn had an appointment this afternoon with one of his clients.
“Wonderful!” She clapped her hands in obvious delight. “Another artist.”
He blushed at her compliment, and the tour got underway. Soon Brooklyn found himself filling out the paperwork. Bonus, the apartment came furnished, so he wouldn’t have to worry about trying to decorate it himself, though he wanted to. But right now he had to save his money. He was no longer splitting financial responsibilities with Blaine. All Brooklyn’s bills would be solely on him, and living in the city cost a lot more than residing in a small town.
When Brooklyn finally walked out, he held the key to his new apartment in his hand. His smile extended from ear to ear as he turned toward the coffee shop. Then he froze. He had to be seeing things. Was that really Kieran standing outside the café? What were the odds?
As if on cue, his mark began to itch. Brooklyn scratched at his palm as he stared wide-eyed at the guy. “Kieran?”
When Kieran suddenly smiled and looked at him, Brooklyn felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. Damn, Kieran was even more gorgeous in the sunlight than in the darkened nightclub.
“Brooklyn,” Kieran said, his voice a deep rumble that sent shivers down Brooklyn’s spine. “What a surprise.”
Brooklyn couldn’t believe it. Kieran was the last person he expected to run into on his first day of apartment hunting. But now that he was standing in front of him, Brooklyn couldn’t deny the heat that surged through his body at the sight of him.
“Hi,” Brooklyn managed to get out.
“What are you doing here?” Kieran sauntered over to him, his smile growing wider with every step. Brooklyn couldn’t help but notice the way his black T-shirt hugged his toned chest or the way his jeans clung to his hips. He tried to ignore the way his heart raced as Kieran came closer.
“I just got an apartment here,” Brooklyn replied, holding up the key.
“That’s great,” Kieran said, smiling warmly. “I’m just getting some coffee. Want to join me?”
Brooklyn hesitated for a moment, his mind racing with all the reasons why this was a bad idea. But then he remembered how good it had felt to be near Kieran, how he had never felt more alive.
“Sure,” Brooklyn said, trying to keep his voice steady.
