‘We’ll be there shortly.’He cut the link before he could say something he’d regret and reached for the link to his female.
‘Starla, I need to do some business before the party.Aurora would like to get ready together if that’s good with you?’He was a master at half-truths, he mused.
Starla stuck her head out of the en suite.Her hair cascaded in curls halfway down her back, making his hands itch to touch.“Is everything okay?”she asked.
He flashed to her side.“Of course.I figured you’d prefer to get ready with your sister and then the two of you could go to the club together in case I ended up being delayed.”
She nodded, then looked behind her.He saw a black dress bag but couldn’t see what she planned to wear.
“Are you going to surprise me with your outfit?”he asked.
“Yes.I think you’ll love it.Let’s go then.The faster you pop out, the faster you’ll return.”She swished her hand in the air, making the bag float over to her.Fuck, he loved her.
“If we had more time, I’d show you how fast I could pop—you,” he growled.
Her eyes glowed as if her wolf was close to the surface.
“Promises, promises,” she said.Her smile was bigger than he’d seen.
Scepter looked at her, loving how happy she looked.Her eyes were bright, and her cheeks flushed pink, the color of cotton candy.His body ached with the need to say fuck obligation and Family, tingling through his veins like he’d never felt pleasure before.
She would be fine with Savage and Aurora while he took care of business.Afterward, he’d solidify their connection.
Starla blinked those beautiful eyes.“You’re mine, Scepter.You better not get hurt, or I’ll come hunting whoever thought to harm you,” she growled, cupping his dick through his leather pants.
He covered her hand with his.“That’s the sexiest thing anyone has ever said to me, Anima Mia.In fact, I’ll probably have that on replay for the rest of the evening.”Goddess, he didn’t think he’d ever get the look of possession on her beautiful face as she’d made the statement out of his mind.
“Good, because I mean it.I’m also an excellent hunter and meaner than I look.”Her hand squeezed a little.He groaned.
“You’ll need to be if you plan to stay with me.”She needed honesty, and Scepter was going to give it to her.Scepter’s policy didn’t leave room in his life for bullshit, and he didn’t appreciate those in his inner circle who weren’t honest with him.
“You ready?”he asked.
“Am I doing the honors?”she asked.
He smiled a little wicked grin and swept her into his arms.“Lead the way, my love.”
Her own smile was triumphant as she flashed them into the entry of her sister and Savage’s home.
Scepter left Starla with Aurora, then materialized down by the docks on the Upper East Side.He used the shadows to conceal himself, floating unseen through the crowd of humans.Almost ten years ago, one of their allies thought they didn’t need their protection and ended up on probation.That was one case Savage allowed because a woman was involved, and she’d been young and vulnerable.He’d realized his mistake the following year, as several others had thought they’d been soft.Now, they gave no quarter.
He stopped suddenly.His body froze.He lifted his head and inhaled, testing the air.He turned his face toward the water.A snarl nearly escaped before he pushed it back down.With slow, measured steps, he stalked forward, keeping himself concealed in the mist.The entire time he moved, he scanned his surroundings, feeling as if he were being watched but unable to pinpoint the source.
Scepter changed his trajectory, shooting upward with the air current, melting into the wind.A sharp thwack hit the dock where he’d been.He looked down and saw a large metal box in the once-empty space.
‘Godsven, where are you?”he asked, reaching out for his brethren through the clan link.
‘I feel you, Scepter.I’m about two minutes out.What’s going on?I sense a blank space around you?’
‘Someone is hunting me.I can’t see them, but I feel them.Stay back.I don’t want them to harm you.’He sent what he’d experienced through the bond.
‘That feels familial,’Godsven said.
Godsven’s words made him pause.Familial meant many things, but to him, it brought up memories of his blood family, whom he cut ties with over four centuries ago.
‘If it’s my birth brother, Severin, you need to leave and allow me to face him.Tell Savage to protect Starla.'He broke the link to his clan, knowing Severin would be able to link with those he cared for.His twin was diabolical.
“It took you long enough to figure out I was here.How are you, Frate'?”Severin asked.
