“And how the hell do you suppose you’ll do that?”
Larkin holds up her hand and tips her head. “We’ve gone company.” Her eyes flash a golden yellow. “The vampires are here.”
Chapter
Twenty
As soon as Larkin’s hand goes back down into her lap, everyone springs up. Some of the werewolves growl and the energy coming off of them is unlike anything I’ve felt before. In nature, wolves have no natural enemies because of the way they are able to work together to take down a target.
I’m guessing the same can be said about werewolves.
A pack is only as strong as its members, and a pack this size is a force to be reckoned with. Vampires tend to be solitary. They’re possessive and protective of what they’ve claimed as their own, even amongst their own kind. Xavier and his family are not the norm, and judging by the way everyone except Delphi are ready to go on the attack, I don’t think the others have fully accepted it.
Delphi was right. If they don’t believe me and they go after Xavier, this entire pack could be wiped out.
“I will talk to them,” I say, putting myself between the pack and the front door. This is Delphi’s house, and I have no idea if she’s ever invited them in before. Knowing I’m probably going to get an earful from Xavier as well as Theo, I grit my teeth and walk toward the door.
“So will I.” Larkin joins me, reaching for the door handle.
“Crown Alpha,” one of the wolves starts. “Allow me instead. The vampires could have nefarious intentions.”
“If Xavier is as innocent as she claims in all this, he will have no problem talking like professionals.” Her voice is slightly louder than before, probably to make sure Xavier can hear her through the closed doors and windows. “The rest of you, stay in the house. And you,” she says softly to Delphi, who responds with a nod and turns her head down. Right. If Delphi is held spellbound, she can invite the whole family in.
Larkin opens the door right as Xavier is going to ring the doorbell.
“Ah, such service,” he chides and flashes a smile. “Good evening, Crown Alpha.”
“Xavier,” she says in return.
“Hi,” I say informally and flash an awkward smile. “Don’t be mad,” I whisper and see his G-Wagon in the driveway. Devon is in the passenger seat, which surprises me. Both he and Xavier were home when I left, and I didn’t think Xavier would take him on business ventures with him…which means he doesn’t trust Devon to be alone.
Great. He better not fucking lose control here. That’s the last thing we need and the little bit of progress I made will be destroyed. Zeke, Mabel and Theo are at the bottom of the driveway, and I can see Theo’s fangs drawn even from here.
“Your wife elaborated on what we started to discuss yesterday,” Larkin tells Xavier. “She’s presented a quite compelling theory.” Crossing her arms, she slowly inhales as she continues to stare down Xavier. “What do you think about it?”
She’s good, I’ll give her that. By not telling Xavier what I talked about, she’s testing to see if our stories will line up.
“I agree with my wife. Demons using humans dying from overdoses as a cover-up is part of a larger picture and is not something I will allow to continue in my city.”
“And what do you say to the allegation that a vampire supplied drugs directly to members of my pack?”
“If that allegation proves to be true, he will be punished.”
“By us!” the wolf who lost her grandson says. “I want him hand-delivered so he can feel the pain of exactly what he’s done!”
Xavier nods. “Done. I’ll even rip his fangs out first and let it serve as a reminder: if anyone breaks my rules, I will break them.”
A few of the wolves murmur amongst themselves. Xavier is loyal to no one but his family, and the fact that he will punish quite literally anyone who crosses him is scary. There are no lines he won’t cross.
Larkin’s expression doesn’t change, and even the energy coming off of her is steady. “Given the circumstances,” she begins. “I think my request to meet privately should be expedited.”
“We can talk now,” Xavier replies. “Care to take a drive?”
“Sure,” Larkin says and half the pack objects. “But the girl stays here. Inside the house.”
Xavier’s jaw tenses and I turn, looking at Larkin.
“Let me talk to him for a minute,” I say before I step outside. Xavier takes me in his arms the second my feet hit the porch and I let out a breath of relief when I feel his firm body against mine. He takes a hold of my hand and we start off the porch.
