Chapter 40

Feeling worthless as the enemy shade dragged me out through the front doors of the coffee shop, I was at least glad to see all my men still alive. They had the upper hand, until they saw me.

The sky was lighter now, but dark enough for the vampires. It had gotten late while we’d fought, and they must have dropped the magic blotting out the sun. And this day had started so good, and now I felt completely hopeless.

Katsuro had Vito on his knees, Davin held a gun on someone else who might have been the mage from the aura of energy circling her, and many of the others were on their knees with their hands behind their heads. Oliver and Bridger weren’t in my line of sight, but I could sense them, so they weren’t dead, at least. Not yet, anyway.

I didn’t see the dogs.

A faint thread of hope that they could save us one more time was the only thing that kept me from weeping in despair. Logically, the guys shouldn’t trade their victory for me, but I, and Drake, knew they would.

Everyone froze when Drake pulled me out into the twilight gloom and cleared his throat loud enough for the supernatural beings to hear.

Then Vito laughed. He started to get up, but Katsuro shoved him back down.

Drake twisted my arm harder, and it took everything I had not to shout in pain. I did end up on my toes, trying to keep him from dislocating my shoulder. Katsuro must have sensed it through our bond, however, and he stepped away from the other vampire.

“And still, you lost,” Vito said as he finally got to his feet. “All that effort, all those lives lost. If you had simply cooperated…” The vampire’s head evaporated in a red mist, and the rest of him crumpled to dust moments later.

It took a moment to process what had just happened, and then chaos broke out once again. I jerked away from a suddenly unresponsive Drake and sprinted toward Katsuro, since he no longer had his hands full with the other vampire. Davin still had the magic user pinned, and with the loss of Vito, it didn’t take long for the others to fall into line.

The vampire tucked me against his side with an iron grip that let me know he had no intention of releasing me any time soon.

Oliver and Bridger joined us after a bit. Bridger had a rifle slung over his shoulder.

“Oliver was kind enough to get my rifle,” he said. “It seems he can slip through the shadows with objects though it takes a little longer. I thought about taking out Drake instead of Vito, but I was loaded for vampire, and based on what Oliver had told us, I thought taking Vito out would also incapacitate Drake.”

He was right. The shade lay on the ground moaning softly, not responding when a pair of werewolves went over to drag him over to the rest of the captives.

Nimbus and the new dog trotted into view, looking pleased with themselves, tails wagging.

Katsuro and several of his other vampires gave the brown dog wary looks, but she seemed content to return to my side. Sitting opposite Katsuro, who still held me.

When Nimbus saw the ring of captives, he got a look in his eye I could only describe as mischievous. He rooed, then grumbled happily, before expanding to his giant dog size. He had to be exhausted after everything he’d already done. What could possibly be worth expending more effort?

Wagging his now giant plumed tail that he had tightly curled over his back, he trotted toward the captives, turned sideways to them, and lifted his leg.

I didn’t even try to stop him, though I did wrinkle my nose at the pungent smell of a large quantity of male dog pee.

The cries of dismay from the captives got me laughing.

Bridger chuckled. “He’s got a good point.”

Oliver kneeled and held out his hand to the new dog. “Hannah, where did you find a sun dog? They’re even rarer than cloud dogs.”

She trotted forward and shoved her head under his hand for scratches.

“She’s lovely.” Oliver sounded positively enchanted as the sun dog pressed against his chest with her body. She’d remained reserved, if friendly, with me, but she did seem to like Oliver quite a bit. Ironic, considering he was a creature of shadow.

Katsuro cleared his throat. “Yes, her assistance was key in overthrowing Vito.”

She turned her attention to Katsuro, and he flinched before bowing formally. “My thanks.”

The sun dog huffed and wagged her tail before again burying her face in Oliver’s chest.

“I think she likes him,” Bridger said.

Nimbus, bladder empty, shrank back to his normal size and trotted over to us before laying down at my feet.

I managed to dislodge Katsuro enough to kneel and hug my dog. He’d done so well, and I murmured into his thick mane just how proud I was of him while tears leaked from my eyes.

“I suppose I should be glad he didn’t get huge before he pissed all over my leg,” Davin said coming up to us.

That broke through my tears, and I laughed.

“Hannah, you have done so much this night to save all of us. You, Bridger, Nimbus, and our new friend. We still have a great deal of cleanup to accomplish, but I would rest better knowing you were truly safe. Would you please take Nimbus below and get rest?” Katsuro took my hand and pressed his lips to my knuckles.

“I was going to, when Drake showed up and ruined that plan,” I admitted. “Jaz told me to go below.”

“There is no blame or fault. You did the best you could, and truthfully, none of us would be here if not for you. Go. Rest. Once all these creatures are dealt with, we can go back to more pleasant pursuits.”

I knew what he had in mind, and I grinned, but truthfully, I was completely exhausted and falling into his extremely comfortable bed sounded amazing.

Nimbus rose and went with me when I headed back to the coffee shop. Bridger and Oliver flanked me, and the sun dog stayed right at Oliver’s side.

***

After several days of whirlwind activity, Davin and Katsuro had finally deemed it safe for me to return to my apartment. I was curled up with Nimbus on the balcony overlooking the coffee shop and hoping I’d finally get a chance to relax and settle into my new home. With all the turmoil, I didn’t really feel like I lived in the apartment. Of course, after Katsuro’s super soft sheets and insanely comfortable bed, my sheets felt scratchy, and my bed felt a little uncomfortable. Maybe I would have to upgrade.

I shifted and scratched Nimbus gently behind the ears, and he rested his head on my chest while we lay on a bed of blankets together. Of course, we could have been laying on a bed of rocks and everything would have been just perfect since I had Nimbus with me. The only thing that would make it better is if I had one, or more, of my men with me.

He perked up, glancing at the door moments before I heard a knock.

It wasn’t one of the guys I was bonded to, or I would have felt their presence. Also, I’d told them just to enter unless the door was locked, which, right now, it wasn’t. Especially now that I was bonded to Katsuro, and Oliver was one of my mates, none of the residents would dare mess with my stuff. I could have left a fortune of money out in the hallway and as long as they knew it was mine, it would stay put. Honestly, I probably would have been safe beforehand, too. I still really didn’t know any of the other residents because they all preferred to keep to themselves, but according to Oliver they were decent sorts.

Grumbling, I got up after Nimbus did.

When I opened the door, two of Davin’s werewolves stood there. I recognized them from forever ago when I’d first been introduced to some of the wolves. The woman was Rachel, and the man, Jamie.

“Hi,” I said not sure how to interpret their visit.

Everyone had been so busy in the last few days since the fight that I’d hardly interacted with anyone but Katsuro, Nimbus, and Oliver. Even during the day while Katsuro was supposed to be resting, he’d been busy, though we had managed a few minutes together here and there since I was staying at his place. Oliver had smothered me with attention when I’d first returned to my apartment, but then duties had called him away. I wasn’t upset that I didn’t have anything to contribute at the moment. I just missed seeing my friends.

“Hannah, would you and Nimbus join us? We have pack business we must discuss.”

I licked my lips nervously before nodding and slipping on my shoes. I shoved my glasses up my nose and glanced at my cloud dog. He wagged his tail happily, so I guessed whatever it was couldn’t be too bad. The dog usually had a good sense of what was going on.

The werewolves led us down to the parking lot and the customary old truck. I knew some of the werewolves drove newer vehicles, but it seemed like most of them preferred the old trucks.

Jamie drove and Rachel sat in the middle of the bench seat. Nimbus hopped up and sat between my feet after I got in. At least they hadn’t sandwiched me between them. That made me feel a little less like I was a prisoner and more like I was a guest. Hopefully, that feeling continued.

Jamie turned off the main road onto one of the dirt two-tracks that I knew led out to pack land. We bounced along through the forest in silence for a few minutes until we came to a small group of other old trucks. Jamie parked and we all slid out. The scent of food grilling wafted in on the air.

Nimbus rooed happily and bounded off into the woods. I relaxed further, knowing he wouldn’t leave me if he thought there was actual danger. Really, I was only nervous because of recent events. I trusted the wolves. I just had leftover fear. My stomach growled though, and I hoped whatever the wolves were up to, it involved food.

“This way.” Rachel gestured toward one of several paths that led from the parking area into the woods.

The path was short and led to a clearing where several of the werewolves cooked over charcoal grills. The clearing was set up as a permanent gathering area with picnic tables, the grills, a currently cold firepit, and small shed probably for storage of the cooking supplies.

They had laid out the fixings for burgers, hotdogs, and sides.

“Grab something to eat,” Jamie said just as a cry went up from the wolves around the table. The plate of cooked hamburgers lifted up and floated away.

“Nimbus!” I shouted.

The cloud dog appeared very briefly out of the underbrush before turning and vanishing, stolen plate of meat zipping off after him. My last impression of the cloud dog as he disappeared into the forest to enjoy his meal was the jaunty flag of his fluffy tail.

Several of the werewolves laughed. A few sighed, and they went back to making more hamburgers. Fortunately, the ones on the grill had survived Nimbus’s thievery and I was able to get a hamburger.

Though I still didn’t know why I’d been invited, everyone chatted amicably, and the atmosphere was relaxed. I felt the tension ease out of my shoulders as I grabbed a seat at a table and ate my lunch while I watched the others.

A ripple went through the crowd at some point, and everyone turned, signaling Davin’s arrival. It didn’t surprise me that everyone noticed, or that everyone stopped what they were doing until he waved—a gesture that seemed to acknowledge the entire group—then went over to get food. My core tightened, and desire did funny things to my stomach as I met his eyes.

The chatter started again, and Davin came over to join me. His gaze lingered before he seemed to realize he was staring at me and turned his attention to his food.

“I didn’t know you were going to be here,” he said, genuine surprise in his voice.

“I didn’t either.” I chuckled. “Jamie and Rachel came to get me. I don’t know why.”

“You’re certainly welcome.” He offered a guarded smile before concentrating on his food. “Where is Nimbus?”

“Took off with a plate of burgers.”

Davin laughed and shook his head. “Well, after everything he did to save Beechworth, he’s more than entitled to them.”

“Don’t let Nimbus hear you. Your food will never be safe again.”

Davin winked. “Seems like it’s already not safe.”

“True enough. So, is this like a weekly cookout or something?”

“We’re having a gathering to honor those we lost in the fight and handle some pack business. Fortunately, though the fighting was fierce and there were casualties, we didn’t lose too many lives.” His shoulders sagged.

“Ahh. You and Katsuro have kept me out of most of the cleanup. How many did we lose?” Sorrow welled liquid in my eyes.

Davin cast his gaze downward before answering. “Five of my wolves and ten of Katsuro’s vampires. Other casualties were limited to injuries, fortunately. The enemy lost many more.”

“Yeah.” I thought back to the vampire I’d killed and shuddered.

Davin put his hand on my forearm. “We all did what we had to. If we hadn’t defended ourselves, so many more would be dead, or worse.”

I nodded. I knew that. It didn’t help a whole lot right then, but I knew in the coming weeks I’d remember, and it would help me heal.

We sat in silence for a while. At some signal I missed, Davin stood and headed for the area around the fire pit. Nimbus emerged from the underbrush and dashed for the food table. This time the werewolf cooking just put a plate down for him to get to.

Nimbus huffed as if disappointed he didn’t have to steal it but dug in anyway.

“Before we honor our fallen, we have a few things we need to discuss. Who wants to start?” Davin addressed his people.

“We do,” Rachel said. She, Jamie, and several others stood.

I saw Davin’s eyebrows go up in surprise, but most of the others nodded in agreement.

“Hannah,” Rachel began. “We know you and Davin are interested in becoming mates. We know Davin hesitates because of the bonds. However, we, as a pack, find you more than worthy. You saved us from the magic that held us painfully in our shifted forms. You selflessly threw yourself between Davin and Vito to protect him and provide a distraction so he could be defeated, and there are so many other things you’ve done recently to prove to us that your heart is kind, and strong, and more than worthy to be an alpha of our pack. We feel Davin should accept your bond as you should accept his.”

“Besides,” someone else shouted. “He’s fucking miserable without you, and we’re tired of him moping.”

Davin sputtered a protest at that, but he didn’t deny it.

“Davin?” I glanced at him, the flutter starting up in my stomach again.

He stared at the ground and ran a hand through his hair, as if embarrassed. “I am miserable without you, and I will accept all you offer. I just hadn’t thought my pack would support it.”

“Well, we do!” a few of them called in unison.

“So, get on with it! We will need a mating celebration after we lay our fallen to rest,” Jamie continued.

“Right now?” Davin arched an eyebrow.

“I doubt Hannah is quite up to that,” Rachel replied dryly. “But tonight would be nice. Then we can have a celebration tomorrow.”

Davin turned his attention to me, hope lighting in his eyes. “What do you think?”

“Pick me up for dinner tonight, and we’ll decide then?” The pressure of nearly the entire pack staring at me was a little too much to make a decision right then, anyway. Though little thrills of anticipation jolted through me at the thought that I might have my werewolf tonight.

“Sounds perfect.” Davin bowed formally in my direction much as Katsuro might have, then turned back to the sad business of honoring the fallen pack members.