“No, Ali, we have to leave. You’re turning, and from what you learned, you should understand why we have to get out of here.”
Ali gulped and agreed that she did understand. She had seen firsthand how his kind took care of humans that were turning. Ali shivered with the idea and she was up far faster than Cal thought she would be. A lot had changed for her, and she had a long night, so the fact that she was jumping up was a good sign to her recovery. Cal knew that she was going to need something more later. But for now, they had to get out of there.
Cal helped her get dressed, and they moved out of the house. Before she could get her bearings, Cal was shifting into his true form and telling her to get on his back. The small pack that she was wearing weighed her down, but the weight did nothing to Cal. He was only focused on getting the two of them out of there.
Taking off north, Cal didn’t notice the eyes that were watching him as he left. All he was worried about was Ali, but they had already raised people’s suspicions. Abott wanted to follow, but the elder Michael appeared out of nowhere.
“We need to have a meeting, Abott. Call all your brothers together and meet me in the hall. We have much to discuss.”
Abott wanted to go after Cal before he got too far ahead. He was one of the fastest in the pack, and he knew if he left now, he could easily catch up to him. The old man knew that and Abott had to wonder why he wanted him to get away. The leader had left them alongside a human that was changing. Abott had to know why.
He watched the old man leave in the direction of the hall. He was so sure that Abott would carry out his orders that he didn’t even look back. Abott wanted to go take care of the girl. It had to be done and he didn’t understand what was happening. But Abott knew not to go against what Michael said. He was the oldest and demanded respect.
Abott did as he was told, getting everyone together. He was hoping to tell the others what Cal had done. Abott never did like that Cal was the one that took over. He had wanted to be Alpha, but their father had picked Cal. Calum was the strongest by far, but Abott had always thought that there should be more to the criteria. Strength wasn’t everything. Intellect and cunning could be just as useful, if not more so.
Michael waited until the whole pack was together to speak. He knew how to draw an audience, and everyone was at the edge of their seat, trying to figure out what was going on. Emergency meetings weren’t called that often and usually there was a clue to what it was about before everyone got there. No one had much of a clue what was going on.
“Quiet, everyone. I have some news that is going to be hard to take. Our leader is gone, and the vampires are coming.”
“Tell them the rest, Michael.”
Michael turned to Abott and gave him a look to kill.
“I’m getting to that, Abott. Thank you.”
“Where has he gone?” Fredrick piped up from the back.
“He’s gone away with his new mate.” Michael paused and looked at Abott, wanting to break his jaw, and might have if he were a little younger.
“His new vampire mate.”
