Cormac smiled and pulled a small package out of his pocket. “Oh, yes, the ever-important eighteen. I brought you something to honor the occasion.”
Simon accepted the gift and slowly unwrapped the box. Inside, he found a crystal wrapped in copper wire and connected to a leather cord. Suddenly choked up, he lifted it out and held the necklace up in front of him. “It’s just like Grandfather’s.”
“Yes, it is. I thought you would like to have one similar to his as a reminder of how much he loved you.”
Simon nodded, unable to speak, and placed the cord over his head. The crystal settled several inches below his neck. After a moment, he could feel its warmth. “Thank you, Cormac. It’s beautiful.”
Simon was startled out of his memory by Gray grasping his hand. His other immediately went to his neck, but the crystal necklace wasn’t there. Master Thomas had made him remove it during their first training session, saying it would mess up their ability to bond.
“You okay?” Gray’s voice was quiet, and Simon nodded his answer. Liam stayed quiet in the backseat, seeming to understand just how upsetting Simon found the situation.
“I just can’t believe that Cormac is the vampire, that he went through everything in the story.”
“I’m sure he’ll answer your questions,” Gray said, giving Simon’s hand a gentle squeeze. “Everything will be okay.”
“I hope so,” Simon whispered. He turned the possibilities over and over in his mind. The Cormac he remembered was a good man… vampire… whatever. Nice and kind. And he was family.
Simon felt a rush of pain at the memory of his grandfather’s death. He clenched Gray’s hand and tried to breathe normally.
Maybe now that he knew the truth, he could be close to Cormac like his grandfather had been. Maybe they could be family now, especially since his own family wanted nothing to do with him since he didn’t fit their vision of the perfect son.
Simon’s time with the pack, seeing what a family could be like, made him want that in his own life more than anything.
He looked over at Gray. Simon didn’t know what this was between them. There was heat, lust, attraction. Was it more than that? Could it be more? Simon didn’t know. One part of him wanted more. The other? It wanted to know if he could have a family of his own, maybe with his great, great—however many greats—grandfather.
16
Gray concentrated on following the directions Cormac had given him while keeping part of his mind focused on Simon. He didn’t like how quiet Simon had become after learning Cormac was the mysterious vampire they sought. He could feel Simon’s pain resonating through their bond and wanted nothing more than to comfort him.
All he could do was continue holding Simon’s hand as he kept driving. Cormac needed to answer Simon’s questions, and hopefully he had the other information they needed as well.
As he turned into the driveway of the address Cormac had provided, Gray tilted his head to the side and stared. He had pictured the home of a vampire as old as Cormac to be, well, as old as Cormac. Perhaps something dark and mysterious that kept out the sunlight. Something hidden away where he couldn’t be found easily.
That wasn’t the case at all. Cormac’s home towered over the landscape, a newly constructed house with a vaulted roofline and a front facade made entirely of windows. It was built of pale gray stone, which of course Gray appreciated, but the outdoor lights and lush landscaping welcomed visitors instead of frightening them away.
Simon took notice as well. He sat up straighter and looked around inconfusion and a little bit of awe. Even Liam leaned forward between the seats to get a closer look. There wasn’t a fence or gate stopping them from driving directly to the front of the house, so that’s what Gray did.
The dark wood front door swung open as Cormac rushed out, and Gray experienced another moment of surprise. The vampire only appeared to be in his thirties and had short, slightly curling brown hair. He wasn’t even tall or commanding looking. Gray thought Simon probably had an inch or two over him in height. Not even his clothes gave a clue that he was old and powerful. His jeans seemed new, and he wore a plain blue T-shirt.
Cormac opened Simon’s door and looked him over. Gray wasn’t impressed with Cormac’s obvious attempt to assure himself his kin was safe and secure in the company of wolves. Gray fought back a growl as he climbed out of the car and forced himself to remain calm. Liam followed, and together they rounded the car to join Simon, who still appeared to be in a sort of shock. Gray reached down and grabbed Simon’s hand, much to Cormac’s apparent annoyance.
Simon seemed oblivious to the tension, which was unlike him. From their first meeting, Simon had picked up on the emotions of those surrounding him, much like he’d heard the cries of help from the cubs. Gray thought Simon’s sensitivity to others was because his mage magic made him more aware of the feelings of those around him. He reminded himself that Simon’s magic was messed up and that Cormac was their only lead to help Simon get back to normal.
Gray gave Simon’s hand a gentle squeeze, and Simon turned it slightly to lace their fingers together. The motion wasn’t lost on Cormac, and his scowl deepened. He turned to Simon and tried to lighten the expression on his face. “Welcome to my home, Simon. I wish it were under different circumstances.”
“Thank you,” Simon replied, his voice still unusually low.
Cormac turned to Gray next and gave a brief nod. “Alpha Gray.”
Gray returned the gesture. “Cormac. And this is my beta, Liam.”
Cormac arched a brow at Liam, then turned back to Gray. “And you needed him here because…?”
Gray stepped forward, just one small step. Liam mirrored his gesture. The movement placed Simon just slightly behind and in between them. Gray then arched his brow right back, and Cormac nodded in understanding. “So that’s how it is.”
“How what is?” Simon asked from behind them.
Cormac smiled at Simon and gestured them all forward. “Welcome, all of you. Please come in. I find myself extremely curious as to what has happened.”
