Page 5 of Only You, No One Else

His mother pulled him into her arms, and he accepted the additional comfort. “I love you, my boy. You’ll see. It will all be all right.”

He reached for the mental barrier, refortified its walls, squeezed his mother, committing her comfort to memory, and drew away from the embrace. Weakness was not needed in this moment. He was still the Crown Prince of the Vampires, responsible for the safety of every vampire on the planet. His pain was irrelevant. There was a traitor in their midst, a witch too powerful to contain, and a resurrected Alpha wolf threatening his kind. His feelings, the real and loud shattering of his heart, had to wait.

***

The familiar tingling sensation of Riley’s power faded as he met Marcus’s eyes from across the conference room. His father’s right-hand man and the second most powerful vampire in the world held his gaze for a second, a hint of concern coloring his impassive expression. He hid it well, but Caster had known Marcus all his life, and the tiny emotion was apparent to him, and it did more to soothe the pain he did his best to conceal than he was willing to admit. There was no need to burden his father with his problems, not with everything Uncle Lucien was up to.

Marcus gestured for them to sit around the conference table as the King walked into the room. He glanced at his wife, a small smile replacing his grim expression, and Caster braced himself for the council only to relax when his father’s bodyguard closed the door.

“Where’s the council?” Damien’s question drew his attention.

“This is not that kind of meeting.” Marcus’s tone was professional as ever, but the concern hiding beneath it was still there.

When he felt both his parents' eyes on him, he sighed. “This is about me?” He started to stand, ready to reiterate that he didn’t need their concern, when the subtle shake of Marcus’s head pinned him to his seat. Marcus didn’t exert his dominance often, but when he did, it was almost impossible to overcome.

He glanced at his mother, whose indulgent smile grated on his insides. Riley shrugged, and Damien shook his head. Traitors, both of them. They’d known about this.

“Son?” His father waited for him to meet his gaze. “You need to bring your wolf here. This house will offer him more protection.”

His father’s pronouncement didn’t shock him. Nothing escaped the King’s knowledge. Still, he’d wanted to be the one to tell him about Mark. He glanced at his mother.

“Yes. I told him. I worried about you. About both of you.”

He nodded. “You’re right, Father. But what if he doesn’t want to?”

“The Prime Alpha will convince him.” Marcus sounded certain, and Caster begged the Goddess he was right. “We’ve received information this morning that may force the Prime Alpha to work with us more closely.” He nodded in Damien’s direction.

“Julian is all but certain that the Werewolf Council is compromised.” Damien gave him his most apologetic stare. “He thinks the Prime Alpha already knows.”

“How?” Caster glanced at his father.

“That wolf, Zeke, was against the treaty from the beginning, and he may not be alone,” Marcus said.

“And you think he might want to what? Get Mark to join him?” The words increased the tear in his heart, causing his chest to constrict. He gripped the table, the force of his tightening hold causing the heavy wood to creak and groan under the pressure.

“No. We have no reason to doubt the Prime Alpha.” The King’s confident tone took away some of the anger roiling in his gut. “He is a level-headed leader, much like his grandfather.” He leveled Caster with a look that brooked no argument. “Besides, I want to meet your wolf. Mark?”

Caster nodded.

“We will sort through all of this.” Marcus’s assurance and his mother’s hand easing the grip he maintained on the table brought his breath back. “In the meantime, the best way to keep Mark from Zeke’s grip and to contain the damage is to bring him here.” His intense blue gaze held Caster captive for a moment before his attention shifted to Riley. “Do we need extra protection on the house?”

Riley shook his head. “She can’t get through here. It’s the only reason… I think… she hasn’t dared to try.”

The King’s residence was cloaked under layers of protection spells dating back to before Riley was born, reinforced with each subsequent remodel. The latest reinforcement, done soon after Uncle Lucien had gone missing, had been one of Riley’s most potent protection spells.

“I need you to send for your brothers.” His father pushed off his seat, his directive aimed at both Caster and Damien. “All of them. Don’t let Cyrus and Xavier out of your sight.” He braced both hands on the table and leaned forward. “I will hold both of you responsible if they disappear again. And Damien…” He waited for Damien to acknowledge him. “Bastian too. Find a way to reach him. Can you do that?”

Damien nodded. “Yes, Uncle Leon.”

“Good.” He glanced at the Queen, his expression softening. “I have many matters to attend to.”

His mother smiled, her hand a welcome weight on Caster’s.

Marcus didn’t follow the King as Caster had expected. “All of this needs to be done today. Can you handle that? Do you need more men?”

Caster nodded. He wasn’t sure how he’d convince Mark to come here. But Marcus was right; they’d all be safer here, and he’d do anything to keep Mark safe, even if it meant dragging him here against his will.

Marcus accepted his answer with a curt nod before leaving the room. Caster breathed a sigh, the weight of his mother’s comfort and the conviction of his family's unwavering support easing his burden. His desire to get back to Mark, even when he didn’t know what to say, was almost overwhelming, and now that he had his family’s support, the courage to find the words should be easy, right?