“It’s a small litter,” he says quietly, looking over at his mate, who has handed one of the pups she holds to Lucy.
My mate holds it as if it’s one of the grenades the humans like so much, although I doubt it will go off in a similar manner.
“By werewolf standards anyway,” Ferenc continues. “But as I want to keep her pregnant for the foreseeable, I don’t care.”
I lift my lip slightly.
“And you seem to have found a pregnant human.” He fixes me with his wolfish gaze.
“My consort.”
“You don’t fool me. Vamp consorts are vamps. That is Lucy, a friend of Grace and most definitely human. I can smell her a mile away.”
The only reason I don’t touch him is because of the pup he carries. Otherwise I would have done some serious damage.Instead I tap my claws on the wooden balustrade, making holes which will need to be fixed as a matter of some urgency.
If Ferenc notices, and he notices, he decides it’s best not to say anything, instead dropping into a seat. A waiter rushes over, placing a coffee in front of him.
“So, to what do I owe the pleasure of Viktor?” I eye the gargoyle.
“I’ve been hearing some interesting stories.” Ferenc takes a sip of his drink and leans back in his chair, gently rubbing the back of the pup who yawns and closes his eyes.
I’m getting the feeling this might be payback for London. If the werewolf had any imagination, which I doubt he does. I’ve known Ferenc a long time, too long given how much I dislike the smell of wet dog, but he’s always been loyal, just like any pack member should be.
“What have you been hearing?” I lean back against the balustrade, my eyes straying to Lucy again who is now cradling both pups while her friend talks animatedly and shoves croissant into her mouth.
Perfectly fitted for a life with a werewolf.
“About the rogue vampire?” Ferenc says. “The one you told us was under control.”
“He is under control.”
“I find it’s useful to keep family close.” Ferenc’s eyes glitter with danger. “Often too close for comfort.”
“Like your cousin, you mean. I returned him a changed wolf.” I bare my fangs, but Ferenc doesn’t bite.
“You did. I sent him to a farm on thepuszta. I hear he might even recover the use of his arm eventually.”
“You did want the information.” I pick at a non-existent thread on my sleeve.
“I did. However, I’d have preferred to know the vampire trying to kill me was yourbrother.”
“I am not his keeper, Ferenc. Who he was, who he is, doesn’t matter. Vampires are not pack animals. What he does is in no way influenced by me.”
“I’m pleased to hear you don’t want me dead.” Ferenc bares his teeth. “But it doesn’t change the fact you had him and you let him walk free.”
I sigh as he takes another sip of his coffee, not taking his eyes off me, like a wolf sizing up prey.
“It’s complicated.”
“Make it uncomplicated, so I can understand why you let the vampire who threatened me, my mate, and my unborn pups go free,” Ferenc says, his voice so low it’s barely even a growl.
I look over at Viktor. So much for our truce. The gargoyle is impassive.
“He took one of my guards by surprise and escaped.” I study my claws. “Not a moment I’m proud of, but I had all the usual precautions in place. He shouldn’t have been able to leave my nest.”
“Atrocious.”
“I think we can probably agree neither of us have had family members acquit themselves particularly well recently.” I raise my eyes to him.
