Trayis (VLG Series Book 11) Read online

  “Yes. He’s taking over for Ted next week after he officially retires. I always wanted to be the first female enforcer for the pack, but I guess I’ll have to settle for being mated to one.”

  “I’m sorry, Marcia. I know that’s always been your goal.”

  “Kale thinks maybe I can help him do his job sometimes, to show Arlis and the others what I’m capable of.”

  “That’s a good plan.”

  “He’s a smart mate. Supportive.” She winked. “I’d better go. I wasn’t letting you leave without saying goodbye again, since you never got the chance to see me after I left your cabin earlier. I love you.” Marica hugged her. “Be happy, call me often, and try to check your phone once in a while after you remember it’s charging on the counter somewhere.”

  Shay laughed, hugging her back. “Promise. I’m going to miss you.”

  She watched her sister leave and then got back into bed.

  Trayis approached the brick building the pack kept deep in the woods. Two enforcers were guarding it. Arlis was already waiting. His brother appeared grim as they faced off.

  “I want to end him,” Trayis demanded.

  “He’s yours. Unfortunately, he hasn’t woken. He fucked himself up with that bullet. The healer said it could be a full day or two before he comes around.”

  “Fuck.”

  “I know you wanted to talk to him, let him know your feelings on what he did to Shay, and probably make him piss himself before putting him down. You won’t get that satisfaction, brother.”

  That was disappointing.

  “You could feed him some of your blood to heal him enough.”

  Trayis shook his head. “Bad idea. One, I already fed Shay some of my blood. I don’t want to be weakened. And while she’s recovering, I refuse to take blood from anyone else. It wouldn’t sit right with me. Then there’s the fact that if I had to give him enough blood to reverse damage to his brain, it would only make him tougher to kill. He’d heal a lot quicker from anything I did to him, at least at first. While that might be fun for me, since I’m furious, I’m not going to weaken myself. I’m taking Shay home in the morning. I want to be at my best while we’re traveling.”

  Arlis stepped closer. “It’s your right to kill Tegan…but allow me to do it for you when he’s awake. Otherwise, you’re going to have to take him out while he’s unconscious. That’s not our way.”

  “I know. It’s only an honorable kill if he’s fully aware he’s been judged and sentenced to death for his crimes.”

  “I won’t take him out fast. I promise. He’ll suffer for what he did to Shay. My word.” Arlis touched his chest, making the pledge. “I have my own issues with him. He tried to blackmail you into killing me and my enforcers. Shay is yours now, but she was one of mine. You know I care about her. I’d have adopted her if I hadn’t been single when her parents died. But I still counted her as family before you claimed her.”

  Trayis was disappointed he wouldn’t be the one to take out Tegan, but he nodded and touched his own chest. “I trust you to do it. He’s yours. Make it painful.”

  They clasped hands. Arlis grinned. “Are you going to mate her tonight?”

  “It’s tempting, but I have my reasons for waiting until I’m back with my clan.”

  Arlis’s eyebrows rose.

  “She’s half human. I’m going to tightly bond her to me, and there could be some side effects on the human part of her.”

  “She won’t change, will she? As in, turn any part Vampire?”

  Trayis shook his head. “Her Lycan blood will prevent that, but I saw what happened to Lorn’s mate. She was a half VampLycan who was turned more Vampire than Lycan when she was attacked, and had to drink a lot of pure Vamp blood. It tipped the scales of her existing DNA. The human side of her allowed for that. Shay might become more Lycan than human. My blood could enhance her Lycan side.”

  Arlis released him with a stunned expression.

  “It probably won’t happen. But I don’t want to risk it right before flying to Alaska. It would be a nightmare if she shifted for the first time on an airplane full of humans.”

  “Fuck. How did Shay react to that news?”

  “I haven’t told her yet. It’s a small possibility. I didn’t want to get her hopes up. She really feels less worthy for being so human.” He glared at his brother. “Your pack has made her ashamed to be the way she is.”

  “We didn’t mean to.”

  “I get that. Her grandparents didn’t help. Speaking of two people I’d like to kill…”

  “Get in line.”

  Trayis snorted. “You might get the chance if Ellis leaves his parents to live with Sylvia and Dean. They offered to take him in. And I can’t see those bastards letting him return to this pack without raising hell.”

  “I hope Mildred and Elvis file a protest. I’ll challenge them. They caused rifts in the pack plenty of times, and then had a son they didn’t even inform me about. That was pure disrespect to me and the whole pack. Ellis already should have been one of mine. I’ll fight to keep him if he chooses to live here.”

  “The kid might take it hard if you kill them.”

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  Trayis backed off the subject. His brother didn’t need more of his advice. He respected him as leader of his pack. “I’ll say goodbye to you now. Shay and I are leaving early in the morning to head toward the airport.”

  “I remember. One of the enforcers will drive you both.”

  Trayis nodded. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. Come back more often. Stay longer.”

  Trayis chuckled. “Okay.”

  “Then again, you might be having a son or daughter soon.” Amusement sparked in Arlis’s eyes. “Shay’s very human. At least for now. Let me know how that goes.”

  “I will.”

  They hugged and parted ways. Trayis returned to the trailer and thanked Martin.

  “I let Marcia in for a few minutes. I felt sorry for her. She was all puppy eyes and pleading to see Shay for herself. Those two have always been closer than sisters.”

  “Thanks. I should have allowed it myself.”

  “You were in full-blown protective mode after what happened to Shay.” Martin grinned. “It happens. Totally natural. For a VampLycan, you’ve got a lot of Were instincts inside you.”

  “Guilty.”

  “Have a good night. I’ll be patrolling. Ted’s taking over in a few hours. I don’t think Tegan had any close friends who’re willing to try to get a little payback. He was a dick to everyone. We’re not taking any chances though. Rest easy tonight.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  Trayis entered the trailer and found Shay sleeping in bed. He stripped, set the alarm on his phone, and climbed into bed with her, holding her close. She murmured in her sleep but didn’t wake. He’d never been so grateful to feel her safe in his arms.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Shay felt nervous, clutching Trayis’s hand. The commercial flight they’d taken had been a pleasant experience. Being seated in first class had been nice. They’d served food, offered her a pillow and blanket, and she’d had a cocktail, since Trayis insisted that it would relax her.

  Then they’d climbed into a small four-seater plane. That had been terrifying. Every breeze had bounced the little plane in the sky—and then she’d realized they would be landing on a road instead of at an airport. Trayis used his mind-control ability on the pilot to get him to agree to do it. They’d landed safely and Trayis had sent the plane off.

  “Why do you have to control his mind?”

  “We don’t want any of the bush pilots to remember us using this road as an airstrip. Humans talk. What if someone overheard a pilot talking about it and it caused suspicion? They might think we’re doing illegal human things, like drug running or something. It’s best if we wipe their memories and let them think they dropped us off at an airport. Then there’s nothing to investigate if the authorities get the urge.”