Antonio nodded slowly. "A reasonable proposal. I'll discuss it with Arthur before we leave tonight."
"In the meantime," Aleksei decided, "we will establish the night watch with our current personnel. Tyr, you'll take the first rotation tomorrow night. Familiarize yourself with the property boundaries and optimal surveillance positions."
"Yes, sir," Tyr responded automatically, the formal address slipping out in response to Aleksei's commanding tone.
Antonio's expression settled into quiet satisfaction. "We have a plan, then. The security installations at both the pack house and Dr. McConnell's residence will be the priority, while construction proceeds on our quarters.
Antonio looked thoughtful as he considered their limited resources. "In the meantime, we'll need to stagger roving patrols between the restaurant and pack house tonight. The clinic remains our primary concern - its public yet isolated location and the connection to Katerina makes it the most likely target. I want at least one of us there at all times. Once reinforcements arrive, we'll have someone consistently at the pack house."
Tyr nodded, already calculating patrol routes in his mind. The clinic sat exposed on the main road, its parking lot visiblefrom multiple angles. The pack house at least had the advantage of a more secluded location, set back from the road and surrounded by dense forest.
"Dimitri will take the clinic for the rest of tonight," Antonio decided, his accent more pronounced as he shifted into tactical planning. "Tyr, take the pack house surveillance, and Tobi, you are roving."
"Yes, sir," Tyr and Tobi both responded automatically, their voices blending.
"Maintain radio contact at all times," Antonio instructed, his formal bearing emphasizing the gravity of their task. "If you spot anything suspicious, alert the entire team immediately. We cannot afford gaps in our coverage, not with so few of us available."
Tyr caught Tobi's slight nod of agreement. His twin's usual playfulness had vanished completely, replaced by the focused intensity they'd developed during centuries of working together. They'd perfected their coordinated surveillance techniques long ago, seamlessly trading positions to maintain optimal coverage while conserving energy.
Aleksei straightened, his warrior's bearing becoming even more pronounced. "I will return to New York City tonight to brief Lord Damien on our progress and arrangements. Three vampires and their Companions will arrive tomorrow evening to reinforce our numbers. Antonio, I'll send you the names of those arriving once I verify with Lord Damien."
Antonio nodded. "Understood."
"Dismissed," Aleksei said simply, his accent clipping the word.
The small group dispersed, Antonio already pulling out his phone to begin coordinating the logistics. Tyr watched as Aleksei moved with predatory grace toward the inn's entrance.
Tyr watched through the inn's front windows as Aleksei stepped onto the wraparound porch. The ancient warrior paused, his shaggy blond hair catching the moonlight. In one fluid motion, Aleksei's form shimmered and shifted. Where the vampire had stood moments before, a massive golden eagle now perched on the porch railing.
While eagles weren't naturally nocturnal hunters, the vampire magic amplified their already impressive vision. What would be merely decent low-light vision in a normal eagle became true night hunting capability in their transformed state.
Tyr had learned this from Aleksei himself, centuries ago when the ancient warrior first taught him to master his raptor form. The vampire magic didn't just enhance their physical capabilities - it bridged the gap between the eagle's natural abilities and what they needed for nocturnal surveillance.
The raptor's dark green eyes, unchanged from Aleksei's human form, swept the property in one final assessment. Powerful wings spread wide, catching the night breeze. With a single powerful thrust, the golden eagle launched from the railing, wings spread wide as Aleksei caught an updraft.
Even in the darkness, Tyr's enhanced vision tracked his commander's ascent. He couldn't help the surge of respect as he watched the eagle's form grow smaller against the star-filled sky. The golden eagle form suited Aleksei perfectly - a fierce predator that had been revered as a symbol of power and authority since ancient times, just as Aleksei himself had commanded armies for Philip of Macedon and helped shape the young Alexander into the conqueror who would change the world.
The eagle's cry echoed once across the quiet grounds before Aleksei vanished into the darkness, winging his way back to Lord Damien's clan.
Chapter 5
Beth stood in the quiet lobby of the Country Veterinary Clinic, breathing in the familiar scents of antiseptic and animals. The evening sun slanted through the windows, painting golden stripes across the tile floor. Whisper stretched luxuriously inside her mind, perfectly content with their new schedule.
The transition to evening shifts was a relief. Beth had always functioned better in the twilight hours, her clouded leopard's crepuscular nature making her most alert at dawn and dusk. During college, she'd scheduled all her classes for late afternoon, and even her study sessions had stretched well into the night.
A smile tugged at her lips as she remembered Douglas's pleased expression when she'd volunteered for the evening rotation. The clinic had been looking to expand their hours, and Beth's natural inclination toward night shifts made her the perfect candidate.
The familiar weight of her stethoscope around her neck and the soft scrub fabric against her skin grounded her in the moment. This was where she belonged. Whisper chuffed in agreement, contentment radiating through their shared consciousness.
The setting sun painted the clinic's waiting room in warm amber tones. A gentle snowfall had begun, flakes drifting lazily from the sky and spatting softly against the windows. Only the evening shift remained now - herself, Liam, and Layla at the front desk.
"Well, it's just you and me, kiddos." Liam's eyes crinkled with amusement as he leaned against the reception counter. "You two ready for your first evening shift?"
Layla's laugh rang out, bright and clear. "You've got this," she told them, her soft blue-grey eyes sparkling as she straightened a stack of files. "Shifters Shift at the clinic!"
"Two felines against one canine." Beth's lips curved into a playful smile as she organized supplies at the treatment counter. "Those aren't great odds for you, Dr. McConnell."
"None of that 'Dr. McConnell' business," he said, his Irish lilt more pronounced. "You're family, Beth. It's Liam when it's just us." His hazel eyes softened as he turned to Layla. "And that goes for you too, lass. You might as well be family at this point."
