“In a way,” Duncan answered.
“Are you sure you don’t need my help?” Their conversation sounded so stifled compared to the other times they’ve talked.
“Yeah, I’m sure,” Duncan answered.
“Okay, thanks for telling me.” Jordan hung up before Duncan could say anything else.Well, that was a bit childish. Way to prove I’m ready for a grown-up relationship.
“You could have just told him you’re sorry for being a douche,” Ryland told him from the seat next to him. “And how are you sure we don’t need his help, considering who we’re getting ready to see?”
“Shut up,” Duncan groused. “It’s pretty much the same, isn’t it?”
“What’s that?”
“Relationships,” Duncan sighed.
“What did you think because now you’re with a guy things would be easy? Relationships take a lot of work no matter the gender.”
“Yeah, I’m seeing that now. No need to be a dick about it,” Duncan admitted. The smile on Ryland’s face told him he was enjoying whatever spat was going on with him and Jordan. “Get that smile off your face,” he growled with no heat to it.
Ryland chuckled. “I can’t help it, finally, the perfect Duncan Pryde reduced to a pouting baby because his mate won’t put up with his shit.”
He knew what Ryland meant and didn’t take offense. “Come on, let’s go. I want to get this done and over with.”
They exited the car and walked up to the abandoned warehouse, but knew it was just a front. They walked up to the door and knocked three times like they were instructed to.
The flap opened showing dark eyes. “Yeah?”
“Cinder and Ash,” Ryland whispered.
“Give me a minute,” the voice on the other side of the door told them then slammed the flap.
“You think this is a good idea?” Ryland asked him.
“No, but from what your informant told us, sanguines are being affected as well. Including a few clans outside the area. The hunters are not only targeting one sect but every damn shifter sect.”
“We have no choice but to work with them,” Ryland added. “Promise me one thing before we go in there.”
“What?” Duncan asked confusingly.
“Don’t kill anyone, we’re already at war with hunters, I don’t want to be at war with them as well.”
“I can’t promise that, their kind fucking irritates me,” Duncan told him honestly.
“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Ryland whispered.
The door opened for them and the bouncer stepped aside to let them in. Duncan walked in first, followed by Ryland covering his back. There was another guard standing in front of them, looking at them with a critical eye.
“We need to search you for weapons,” the second guard said.
Duncan turned and looked back at Ryland who shrugged his shoulders. Sighing, Duncan raised his hands in surrender and let the man check him for weapons, even though he knew he didn’t have one. Duncan could hear the music coming from the upper floor of the club that he couldn’t hear from outside. He looked up after the guard was done patting him down and a good-looking man was standing at the top of the stairs looking down at them.
He suspected that he was the owner and the man he was there to see. The owner walked, or rather glided, down the stairs and Duncan was able to get a good look at him. Blond hair and sparkling gray eyes, he was also a bit shorter than Duncan. Duncan hated the man on sight for more than one reason.
“Alpha Pryde, welcome to my coven.” The man extended his hand for a shake. “Bronx Harrison. I think we have a friend in common.”
A familiar scent wafted under Duncan’s nose that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. “I’m not sure who you might be talking about,” Duncan said coyly taking his hand and shaking it. He was about to pull away when Harrison held onto his hand.
“No need to be coy, Alpha Pryde,” Harrison said with a smile that grated on Duncan’s nerves.
