My brows shoot up. This is the first I’m hearing that my oily cloak isn’t so much effective as it is repelling.
Jabir sighs, ushering me forward with a soft nudge on the arm. “The only thing he enjoys more than flirting is the sound of his own voice.”
My guides take me to the dining lodge first. On the side exterior, a massive sun mural is displayed, encompassing hundreds of handprints in shades of red, yellow, and orange. Large barn-like doors reveal a rustic ballroom with over a dozen round cedar tables. Most of the room is open, large skylights filling the space with filtered daylight—a fine place for Axe’s family to gather for special occasions. Next, we see the exterior of the training facility, a sauna attached to an outdoor hot tub the size of most residential swimming pools, and a string of pavilions which host the outdoor target range and benches to observe sparring matches.
Directly facing the lodge is another building erected of logs. A trading store, Jabir explains, for exchanging clothes and otherused goods. Despite the icy breeze rolling through, its windows are open, blaring an electric rock record. Dominik fiddles with the top button of his coat.
Does he always have this much difficulty keeping still?
I nod to the circle of cabins looming in the distance. “Does everyone have a place of their own here?”
“No,” he answers cooly. “I live in Hichano, the next town over. I’ve got a loft two blocks away from my nightclub.”
“I see. I take it that’s not part of the tour.”
Jabir cuts in. “No. Axe will likely insist on escorting you to our neighboring human cities and the other territories himself.”
“W-what do you mean ‘other territories?’” I stutter.
“For someone he plans to make Luna, he really hasn’t told you much.”
Jabir winces. As he opens his mouth, he is cut off by the ring of his phone. Seeing who the caller is, he takes a step aside. “Just finish the loop and take her back.”
Dominik nods and waves him off. We pass another trio of buildings, closest to the private residences of the pack families. A schoolhouse, a training facility, and lastly, a pentangular structure: a greenhouse and studio for pack members to flex their creative muscles.
“The greenhouse was my sister’s idea,” Axe’s brother says. “Demi is a life-long botanist, so naturally she spent most of her time there when she wasn’t training. She lives in Bissex now with her mate and two daughters.”
I smile, hopeful to meet her one day soon. I have no doubt that she’s as beautiful as her siblings.
Though snow blankets the berms and retaining walls, it is possible to make out the skeletons of lovely flowers and grasses that grow in warmer months. I can picture a row of delicate poppies and lupines swaying in the wind. Fuller trees, bearing every shade of green.
Back at our starting point, Dominik props the back door open and allows me to enter. As I pass, I note the distinct smell ofhim: cardamon. Spicy and mysterious. “So, Hichano . . . what’s it like? It’s been a while since I’ve been anywhere crowded with humans. I can’t imagine you enjoy it for that reason.”
Smirking, he smooths over his coat. "I do, actually. Your species is easier to read. Plus, when humans lose their temper, it's far less off-putting."
I recall the bone-snapping sounds from the woods, the ferocious snarl that tore through Axe’s throat. The savagery in his voice as he reminisced about it.
I would happily do it again.
Am I certain this is someone I’m ready to willingly offer my neck to? My stomach bubbles with dread.I suppose it’s either his teeth or the Blood Master’s.
Dominik’s arm flies out in front of me as we walk into the living room. A pair of elderly women dart straight past us. Above the railing, a snarl ripples through the house, followed by the crash of glass breaking.
"Shit," he curses.
He loops his arm through mine and leads me quietly down an unfamiliar hallway, stopping at a vaulted door which must lead to the lower level of the estate. Looking over my shoulder, I notice several others scurrying out the back exit.
Axe's voice echoes from the top floor. "Everyoneout."
A female snaps back. "No, no. They should hear what you've done. How you havehumiliatedme.”
I pull back, wanting to understand what she means. Dominik grips my shoulder. "You're going to want to stay out of that.”
"I'll take my chances," I insist, stepping out of his grasp. He follows close behind as I move quickly down the hallway.
“Vessa, wait!”
I turn the corner, halting at the foot of the grand staircase.
