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I understood that completely. “Right now, all the packs are strengthening the town. Jaxon Hyde could help us with that. And if it turns out to be another threat, I’m sure we’ll be strong enough together to handle it.”
The idea of building connections with other paranormals had been on my mind, but Dean’s actions made trust difficult. Part of me wanted to believe him, but I couldn’t let my guard down. Not when Tori’s safety was on the line.
“Understand this,” I growled, stepping closer to Dean, making sure he knew the gravity of the situation. “If I find out you’re lying, or if you put any of them in danger, you’ll wish you never set foot in Blackwood Creek.”
The vampire held his hands up in surrender. “Got it.”
My attention shifted back to Tori, whose eyes had narrowed with suspicion as she assessed Dean. I could sense her reluctance to trust him, sense that she was wrestling with the idea that her biological father might not have been the one who murdered her mother. Of course, that would only lead to yet another unsolved mystery. If Jaxon Hyde hadn’t killed her, then who had?
“Are we really going to believe him?” She crossed her arms over her chest, her tone revealing both anger and uncertainty.
“Trust me, Tori, I don’t like this any more than you do.” I ran a hand through my hair, trying to clear my head of conflicting emotions. “But we need answers, for you and for the pack.”
“Seriously? You’re siding with him now?” Her voice cracked, making my heart clench in pain.
“Of course not, but I have to think about our safety, and the safety of everyone else here.” My thoughts raced as I tried to find the right words, desperate to show her this was the bettercourse of action without losing sight of my responsibilities as an alpha. “I promise you, if he’s lying or brings any harm to us, I will personally tear him apart.”
“Ridge,” she said, her eyes glistening with unshed tears, “I don’t want this to come between us.”
“Nothing will ever come between us. We are stronger together, and we’ll face whatever comes our way.”
“Fine.” She wiped away the tears threatening to fall. “Just be careful. Please.”
“Always,” I murmured, pulling her close and pressing a soft kiss to her forehead. “I won’t let anything happen to you, or to us.”
Her gaze lifted to meet mine. “Okay, but if we’re doing this, we better make sure it’s worth it.”
“Yes, ma’am.” I released her and turned back to Dean, a predatory growl rumbling in my chest. “You better hope you’re telling the truth, vampire. Because if not, you’ll wish the hunters had finished you off when they had you.” Gripping Tori’s hand, I looked Dean dead in the eyes. My chest tightened as I forced the words out. “Leave town, but only to retrieve Jaxon Hyde. Bring him back here so we can meet face to face.”
“Are you sure about this?” Tori murmured, her grip so hard on my hand, it hurt.
“Positive.” I knew working with other paranormals might be our best chance at survival. “But only if it means protecting our people.”
Dean smirked, clearly not expecting my change of heart, but also not intimidated by me. “When I come back with Jaxon, I expect no hostility.”
“Only if he’s on our side. We intend to fight off the hunters and protect the shifters here. If Jaxon isn’t malicious, he should help us.”
“Understood.” The smirk never left Dean’s face.
“Swear it,” I demanded, wanting to hear the vampire’s promise. “Swear that you’ll bring Jaxon back here and that neither of you will harm any of us.”
“Cross my cold, dead heart.” Dean placed a hand over his chest mockingly. I clenched my jaw, ready to pounce if he dared to continue making light of the situation.
“Ridge, don’t let him provoke you,” Tori said softly, her breath warm against my neck. Her touch sent shivers down my spine, reigniting the primal urge to protect her at all costs.
“Go,” I said to Dean, releasing my grip on Tori’s hand, my fingers lingering on her skin for a moment longer than necessary. “Bring Jaxon back and prove to us that you’re allies, not enemies.”
“Will do, alpha.” Dean bowed sarcastically before vanishing into the night, leaving us alone under the moonlit sky.
“Ridge,” Tori said, shaking, “what if this is a mistake?”
“Then we’ll handle it together.” I pulled her close, love and pride swelling within me for the woman who had become my everything. “We are stronger than any threat, and nothing will ever tear us apart.”
The chill of the night air set my senses on edge, every fiber of my being hyper-alert. Tori’s fingers trembled in mine, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. I hated seeing her so vulnerable.
As the night settled around us, the gravity of our decision weighed down on me. We’d made an alliance with a vampire, an enemy turned potential ally. It felt like a risk, but one we needed to take. For Tori, for her answers, and for our pack.
“Come on,” I murmured, pulling Tori close. “Let’s go home.”
