CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

K nock, knock, knock.

Ben startled awake, half sitting up and disturbing Anna.

“What—where—what’s happening?” she said, disoriented.

“Go back to sleep, baby,” Ben told her, climbing off the bed and pulling on his jeans. “I suspect it’s my summons.”

“Can I come?”

He smiled and leaned down to kiss her nose. “No, I don’t think the king would approve of that.”

Worry crossed her face, and Ben placed his hand on her cheek, ignoring the continued knocking. “I will be back; I promise.”

“Okay,” she replied in a small whisper as his lips met hers again. “Just—holy shit!”

Anna sat up, pushing him back on his knees. She scrambled to her own knees and grabbed his face in her hands.

“Ben. Your eyes. They’re...doing the thing.”

He knew what she meant, and his face broke into the biggest fucking smile of his life.

“I love you,” he said, grabbing Anna and kissing her like their lives depended on it.

Knock fucking knock.

“Stay right there and don’t move. I will be back as soon as I can.” He laughed and grabbed his shirt.

Anna’s smile lit up the goddamn planet. Ben winked at her and left the room.

He opened the door and found himself face-to-face with Ari Moretti.

“I was told I would find you here,” the Director said.

“Ari...” he started.

The vampire held out a hand. “There is no need, Ben. I have seen males mate for centuries. I know the madness,” he assured, letting out a small laugh. “But we should talk in private, and then I will take you to the king.”

Ben nodded.

Ari led him outside, and they walked the grounds, not talking for a short time. Eventually, the ancient vampire spoke.

“I know you, Ben. I can only imagine how much you have tormented yourself over the past few weeks.”

That was an understatement.

Ben let out a small laugh. “Pretty much.”

“Yet you remained loyal and never divulged anything about me or The Institute.”

“No, of course not. Fuck, Ari.”

“Nor did you share anything sensitive with me about the Moretti’s.”

Ben gave the male a sideways glance. “I know what you are trying to do. Don’t make me out to be a goddamn hero. I’m not. I lied to everyone. For a female.”

Ari frowned and shook his head.

“For your mate. The most precious thing in life,” he said, stopping and facing Ben. “You made the right decision. Anna is your priority.”

Ben ran a hand over his head a few times. “I had no choice. I love her. It’s...it’s all consuming, Ari.”

The Director smiled and began walking. “Nice eyes, by the way.”

Ben knew Ari had waited many lifetimes to meet his mate and had long ago given up all hope.

Despite being a kabillion years old, the male was still a powerful and virile male. Women were attracted to his potent energy and wealth, which flowed from him in waves.

Ari was an intelligent and witty male with an unending vault of stories from the ages. Ben could see him with a female one day, but she would need to be very special to be with someone so ancient and powerful; someone who had lived so long.

“Killing Diego? Not so smart.”

Ben glanced away. He wasn’t sorry, and Ari would know that.

“She was one of the victims, Ari. I thought I was returning to the United States. I had to make sure she was safe. His life had to end; you know that.”

Ari shook his head. “You only know the tip of the ice-berg, Ben. It runs deep. His death will trigger a series of events we cannot undo.” Ari shook his head. “I understand why you did it, and what’s done is done, but it’s time we work together with the royal family.”

Ben recoiled. “You want to work with the king?”

“We must if we are to survive. We need to join all our forces now.”

TEN MINUTES LATER, he was sitting in front of Vincent Moretti.

“So, now we know who the fuck you are,” the king said.

Ben smirked. “Told you I wasn’t dangerous.”

“Oh, you are dangerous,” Brayden countered, dropping into his own seat and laying his arms along the wooden frame. “Which is why I’m offering you the position of Senior Lieutenant Commander one more time, and I swear to God, if you decline, it will not be offered again.”

Ben had been expecting it.

After his discussion with Ari, who hadn’t tipped him off, it just made sense.

The Moretti’s had wanted him to work with them, and they all knew he couldn’t take Anna back to Seattle. Plus, he was a solid link between the Royal Army and The Institute, not to mention all the knowledge he had about the human motherfuckers.

“Very few get this opportunity, Ben,” the king continued. “The prince and I only choose the best for this team, and I believe you are. However, you need to be sure.”

Ben glanced at Ari.

Take it, son. We will always be connected, and you know you cannot be an assassin and be with your mate.

Ben blinked.

He hadn’t realized how much he’d been worried about losing Ari Moretti, as a friend, as a father figure, as someone he loved and admired.

You better stay in touch. I know where you live.

Ari let out a laugh, and the two males smiled at each other.

He turned to the other two Moretti’s in the room. “I accept, and I would be honored to work for you, Your Majesties.”

“Excellent,” Vincent spoke. “Because it sounds like we have quite the fight on our hands coming up, and this alliance is important.”

Around him, the three Moretti’s all murmured their agreements.

“For now, we continue to keep my identity a secret,” Ari said.

Ben watched the king and prince share a look which unsettled him. Like their ancestors, they were uncomfortable with Ari’s existence, and while he was loyal to all the Moretti’s, it irked him to see history beginning to repeat itself.

He hoped he was wrong.

“I must return to my mate.” Ben stood, glancing at all three faces. “This may be out of turn, but I’m going to say it anyway. If we are to succeed, we need to trust each other. I think it’s time for the truth to be told. Ari has proven his loyalty for long enough.”

Vincent stared at him, his eyes moving slowly to Ari’s. “Tell me, Ari, if you were to mate and create your own bloodline, would you declare yourself king of your own dynasty?”

Ari stared at the king for a long time, then turned to Ben.

“Go to your mate. I will say goodbye before I depart.”

Well, fuck, that conversation hadn’t worked out quite as he’d planned.

He nodded and walked out the door.