“Was there anything useful in there? Anything from Domino or about Carys? Her mother?”
Monster knew the cure wouldn’t magically be in there, but maybe some information to help in the future or to give Carys some answers.
Prowler looked reflective. He gave a single nod. “There was. We’re still sorting through it, but it was like Kansas said. Her mother was repeatedly raped after being injected with an experimental mating drug.”
“Is she your mate?”
Monster nodded. “Yeah. The silver was blocking the connection between Ulf and me, so I didn’t know right away. Ulf knew at Samual’s and then, I confirmed it when we got back here.”
Monster still hated himself for the doubts he’d had.
“That’s what I thought. Apparently, it won’t counteract true mates if they’ve met or are in the vicinity. It was part of their testing group. Separating mates and trying to change it,” Prowler spat with disgust.
“That tracks with what Kansas told me in the van.”
Once you stopped scrambling my instincts with the silver, I knew. I’ll never doubt her. She is ours.
Yeah, Ulf was a different wolf. Three complete and connected sentences, and not a feral thought breaking through.
“Do you plan to make her your ol’ lady?”
“I already think of her that way, just the red tape left.”
Prowler looked around the table. “Any objections to raise?” Monster hated that question, but it was imperative for his club. She’d been sent to betray them so his brothers might have some reservations. Especially with Kansas’s death at her father’s hands.
No one said anything until Prowler nodded.
“I’ll add her cut to the order.”
Of course, Ghoul had to pipe up.
“Shit, Prez. He broke your falling record. What was it twenty-four hours?”
Monster raised his middle finger. “Sit and spin motherfucker, it was at least ninety-six.”
The moment of merriment that broke through the more somber mood had passed. Monster noticed the empty seat and guilt swamped him once more, remembering where Kansas’s wolf went.
He’d been so wrapped up in Carys, he hadn’t checked on his brother.
“How’s Creedence doing?” Monster had always had his wolf, so he didn’t understand how being jumped by a wolf impacted the man.
“Surprisingly well. He’s itching to get to it. I asked him to wait until after his first run. That was when I kind of understood my body and mind better. Creed is a different breed for sure. It’s like River was born to him.”
“I wanna join this week’s run if that’s okay with you, Prez? Ulf needs freedom without restrictions.” Thank fuck Prowler agreed. Ulf was itching to get out and stretch his legs. If Monster were honest with himself, he was just as eager to run with him. It wasn’t something they’d experienced before. The taste he’d gotten back at Samual’s felt right.
Maybe because Kansas had willingly let his wolf go to Creedence as he passed, it helped. The other brothers who quantum did so through sudden deaths with reluctance. No gentle transfer, which was the only way Monster could describe the exchange he witnessed between Kansas and Creedence.
“Speaking of … how do we feel about promoting him to Secretary?” There were ayes all around.
Monster needed to ask the next question.
“Before … at last church, Kansas mentioned the vamps could help her mom.” He rubbed the back of his neck. How could he ask his club to use a marker to save her mom, but he needed to do it for Carys. He understood how close they were, and it would gut him when she lost her anchor.
Bulldog smiled. “I figured you’d wanna save the mom as soon as I saw Ulf standing there at Samual’s and he didn’t snap at me.”
Prowler looked from his Veep to Monster. “I took the liberty of making the call already. There’s a man in their clan willing to help. He lost his blood bond a while back. He wants a new bond, but doesn’t want, in his words, the hassles of romantic entanglements, so he thinks this will suit his needs.”
Monster felt the smile split his face. The thought of how happy Carys would be had his heart swelling in his chest.
