Page 58 of Return to the Pack

Their support fills me with pride, and I beam at all my rough and bloody men. “Then let’s go talk to some vampires.”

We tromp toward them as a mighty team, connected with one gigantic beating heart.

Once we’re standing in front of them, Axel pulls himself to his full, imposing Alpha height. “What do you need to say?”

He says the words calmly, but I can tell he’s poised and ready for battle, if it comes to that, even though we’re all exhausted.

Drake steps away from the circle with Evan by his side. Drake’s pants leg is stained crimson, but he holds himself tall, too.

“We owe you our lives, Alpha,” Drake says, meeting Axel’s gaze with his dark, dead eyes.

“Go on,” Warrick says, crossing his arms over his chest.

“We were certain you were responsible for the attacks on our human feeding stations and us. Even when you came to warn us of the maneaters, we were suspicious of your intent. Please accept my apology on behalf of my clan. I, for one, wouldn’t be standing here today were it not for your warriors.” Drake nods his head in a show of respect and Evan does the same.

Axel’s face appears impassive, but I know his wheels are turning a mile a minute. “Thank you. We accept your apology on one condition.”

“Of course,” Drake says, one eyebrow raised imperiously. “You wouldn’t be the Alpha if you weren’t always negotiating for your pack.”

“I want our land back,” Axel says evenly. “Our pack land belongs to all our people, not just me. It is sacred to our people, and I gave it under duress when my mate was in danger. As a show of good faith between our people and yours, I would ask for it to be returned.”

Drake looks down his nose at Axel, but I think he looks impressed. “It speaks to your devotion,” he says coolly, his gaze sliding toward me. “A sacrifice for one’s mate is a noble one.”

My chest puffs at his words, but I school my emotion into neutrality and wait for the vampire’s answer just as my mates do, with dignity.

After a long beat, Drake locks eyes with Axel. “Your land is yours, as payment rendered for your warning, and for defeating the hybrid wolves beside us.”

“That’s most generous,” Axel says. “May this usher in a new era of peace between our peoples.”

“Yes,” Drake says. “In addition, we do not hunt game as you do. If you’re in need of hunting grounds in the wake of the damage from the hurricane, we’ll allow you access to our land for those purposes.” He folds his arms over his chest and rises to his full height, displaying his arrogance like a peacock’s tail.

Axel dips his head at the vampire leader. “In return, we’d like to offer you access to the same. You may feed from humans in our territory, as long as they are consenting.”

“Of course,” Drake says with a smirk. “Thank you, Alpha.”

They nod their heads to each other, and then the vampires turn and shoot off through the trees in a blur, disappearing from view in seconds flat.

My men and I all start talking at once.

“Axel, you did it!” I say, jumping up and down.

He catches me in his arms and smooches me hard on the mouth.

“Good job, man,” Warrick says, clapping him on the back.

Axel sets me down and smiles at me with a look of purest love. “You’re going to get your dream house, Luna love.”

“That I get to share with all of you,” I reply, beaming at my men.

“Aw, shucks,” Callan says. “Don’t make me cry, pet.”

With joy in our hearts for each other, we turn to the somber task that precedes the building of our home—burying the dead and restoring the injured in the pack. If anyone’s capable of undertaking the job, it’s the five of us, the toughest wolves in all of Jacksonville.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Luna

A few days later, we prepare to head back to our home at the triplets’ cabin. We’ve been crashing at Adolpha’s in her living room, tending to the dead and the grieving, but now, it’s time to leave.