“So, now that Farica said it in her sweet voice you understand,” Wick mocked Bell.
“If you’d said it like her then yes, I probably would’ve been okay with it and I have no idea why.” Bell shrugged.
Wick laughed. “Good. Because the covens and packs are believing our report that your mate was not an angel but a wolf with a protective coating on his fur that prevented him from burning.”
Alek quirked his brow. “And people believe that? Nothing could’ve stopped an animal from burning in that inferno.”
Roman grumbled. “It was a stretch, yes. But we got the videos down fast, so the rest was tamping down the gossip mill. Unfortunately, the stories spread throughout our communities a lot faster than any social media could. It also took convincing to the authorities that we weren’t harboring a superpower over here.”
Wick picked right up where Ramon left off, “You and Wrath will need to use discretion from here on. No displaying your abilities in public. None. Especially Wrath’s. So, as of now the covens are reporting more—”
Alek grunted harshly, disrupting Wick’s words. Alek! It’s Alessandro! MOVE! Wrath and Wolf barreled to the surface so fast it made Alek jerk at the pressure in his chest. He bolted up from beside Bell on the couch and rushed to the window, yanking the blackout drapes away so hard that he pulled the entire rod off the wall. He stared out into the dark forest but he couldn’t hear or see anything.
How far away, Wrath? Alek needed to know since it was out of his scope.
About two miles, and he’s closing in fast.
“Alek what is it?” Bell was at his side, his palm coming to rest on his shoulder.
“Brother?” Justice’s deep voice was next.
Alek turned towards the small group of vampires and shifters, “It’s time for battle.”
“How many?” Wick asked, already removing his suit jacket.
Ramon barked orders at the officers before they flashed away to round up the rest of the guards. Taleb and Farica left to sound the warning siren and to hustle any women, elders and young ones indoors.
Death approaches, Aleksei, Wrath told him mysteriously. With another.
What does that mean?
“Alek, talk to us,” Justice said. “I don’t smell anything.”
How many rebels, Wrath, and how many vampires?
“Alpha Alek can you tell me anything more?” the Lord Protector added.
Wrath grumbled in frustration, I’m not sure, Alek. The vampire who approaches has a strong shield. It could be one or he could be masking many.
“Brother, are you all right?” Mac asked.
Shit. Alek frowned, touching his hand to his temple. His head was beginning to pound. Everyone crowded towards him, speaking at once, all while he tried to decipher what Wrath was saying, and listened to Wolf bark his battle strategy. He thought he might lose it for a moment like they used to, until he felt Bell lean into his chest. Alek exhaled as his mate comforted him with his touch. He let Bell ease both hands up his chest and wrap them around the back of his neck.
“Just breathe,” Bell soothed. “Listen to my voice.”
Thank the heavens for his mate. At Bell’s insistence, no one else in the room spoke. Alek was able to concentrate on the sounds he could hear while Wrath continued to hone-in on their intruder. When he had as much intel as Wrath could give, he immediately relayed the information.
Alek opened his eyes. “We need to go outside. Wrath says a vampire is coming, a strong one. And Alessandro is with him. The stench of death is masking the scents of whoever else could be with them.”
They hurried outside into the frigid night air, the sound of the alarm was piercing and Alek was glad when it stopped. He surveyed his wolves that had shifted and already in their attack formations. He gave them a nod that was met with vicious snarls and howls of allegiance. They were ready to defend their lands and the alpha-mates.
Is he still coming? Alek knew the answer but he asked Wrath anyway.
YES, Wrath and Wolf said at the same time. Which meant the enemy was even closer.
That psychopathic vampire had crossed the ocean to finish off his mate. He’d actually come. He’d stop at nothing to kill Bell this time. Wolf growled with viciousness. Alek understood. He’d been hoping the half-a-million-dollar bounty the king had put on Alessandro’s head would’ve had those ruthless mercenaries already calling with the confirmed kill.
“I smell him,” Wick said. “Something is not right. The vampire who approaches has a shield like I’ve never felt before. Come on, Justice.” Wick finished removing the rest of his clothes.
Justice was the first to shift into his huge white wolf. When Wick knelt beside him, Justice tucked his long muzzle against his mate’s neck and nudged him with a sharp nip at his throat. The sound of Wick shifting into his Siberian tiger was like a sonic boom. His shift was instant, effortless, and always an amazing sight. Alek stayed close to Bell’s side. They were going to launch every defense they had.