Justice held Wick’s arm in the crease of his elbow when he addressed their guests. “We are grateful to all of you for coming. We hope this is the first of many blood drives. As you can see…” Justice pointed to the line of shifters waiting near the bloodmobiles for their turn. “We have already begun to distribute to the covens on the east coast this week, and what we collect here tonight, and from the neighboring packs tomorrow, will be sent further inland to the Midwest covens.”
None of the leaders made a move as they took in Justice’s words and their surroundings. If Macauley had been a vampire, he’d probably have been leery as well. Shifters were known to be self-serving, possessive, and unpredictable. But so far, their visitors appeared to be impressed by the number of mobiles that were on the property and how eager the shifters seemed to want to donate.
“It is an honor to be back in your territory, Justice.” Asa smiled up at the lights that twinkled above his head before he and his partner gave the king an honored bow. “Especially as an invited guest.”
“You are welcome anytime,” Wick confirmed.
“Yes, anytime at all,” Anna, Macauley’s own beta, added as she stared down at Asa and Azriel’s personal guard.
Macauley held in his groan. For fuck’s sake.
The guard glanced in Anna’s direction, giving her a confident grin that showed impressive fangs.
“Gods, this was the best idea Adres has ever had,” Rich mumbled near Macauley’s ear. “Do you see those two down there near the last car?”
“Hell yeah, and the guy she’s with too.” Bundy’s potent pheromones were practically choking him as Macauley elbowed him in his ribs to get him to shut up and get himself under control. “I donated earlier this week, so I think I’m gonna ask if that tall, dark-haired one would like a personal sample.”
Mac! Justice growled. Get your betas in line. I can smell them all the way down here.
Talk about self-serving. This wasn’t supposed to be about their pleasure; it was supposed to be about unity and assisting a starving community. Not getting their freak on.
“If the leaders would like to come inside my home, the Lord Chamberlain has some drinks already prepared for you, and your officers are welcome to join mine on a tour of the property.”
“Your hospitality is greatly appreciated, Justice.” Asa stepped forward, accepting the offer, which was enough to make the other leaders follow.
While Justice, Wick, and Aleksei went inside to talk with the coven heads, Macauley took Adres’s hand and led him towards the main compound to join the festivities. Upbeat instrumental music played from the speakers mounted around the courtyard. It was an amazing sight to see vampires and shifters talking with each other as if they were neighbors meeting for an outdoor party. The younger crowd was more social than the older vampires as they stuck close to each other while they watched with hunger brimming in their dark eyes as the medical officers collected bags of blood.
“I think this is a success if you ask me.” Macauley nodded, pulling Adres into his chest.
“I agree.” Adres’s gaze was on an older vampire that was sitting at one of the many benches while a vampire that appeared to be in his late teens was holding a plastic cup to his mouth to help him drink. He was so weak he could barely move his limbs. “Taleb was right. Justice will be remembered for this.”
Macauley kissed the top of Adres’s head. “And so will you.”
They stood there in silence for a while, just watching and enjoying when Michelle and her clique came around the corner. She had a presence that commanded attention. And it wasn’t because of her supermodel hair, her smooth tanned skin, her ample breasts, or even the extra-short dress she wore that left nothing to the imagination; it was her abundance of confidence. Even her girls were some sexy motherfuckers, but the games they played with men and women made them undesirable as mates.
“So, didn’t our alpha say something about permitting drinking directly from the source?” Michelle purred as she sauntered past a group of vampires, turning their heads. She settled on a table that was only feet from where Macauley was standing, speaking loud enough so there was no mistaking her intentions. She gave him and Adres a smug sneer. “I think it’s far time I see for myself what a vampire can offer me. Isn’t that right, ladies?”
Her crew was quick to agree as always as they zeroed in on their own targets.
I thought Farica handled this? Adres vibrated in his arms, his anger growing.
A vampire who had arrived with the Staten Island coven appeared to be under her spell as he approached Michelle, falling right into her trap. “Good evening, beautiful.” He wore dark jeans and a camel-colored Henley beneath his black wool trench. He was almost the same height and build as Macauley, but his platinum-blond hair was slicked back, and his eyes weren’t blue but as black as opals. Macauley scented him but smelled no ill will from his core.