Lavos Read online

  “What does that mean?”

  Wen crossed his arms over his chest and sighed. “Damn. Decker did keep you in the dark. Okay, it’s just a maybe on being able to link thoughts and feelings when you mate a pure human. It certainly doesn’t happen right away. It can take years of blood exchanges.”

  That news wasn’t welcome, but it didn’t matter. Jadee belonged to him.

  “Your Lycan side can suffer insecurities. Humans often divorce. As a man, you can reason that you’ll keep her happy enough to never want another, but the beast isn’t always logical. That might be a big part of why you’re craving seeing her pregnant quickly. Not to mention, humans have no natural birth control. You’ll probably get her pregnant regardless of trying or not if she’s fertile.”

  “What about human birth control options?”

  “It’s iffy on birth control pills. No glove, no love is the best way to avoid a pregnancy if she’s ovulating.”

  Lavos flinched. “Condoms?”

  “Never used one before?” Wen grinned. “They aren’t so bad. I’ve had human lovers. You adjust. They sound far worse than they are.” His humor faded. “It’s better than ending up having to mate a woman you accidentally got pregnant. I’ve had nightmares about that.”

  “You wouldn’t consider having a human mate?” It disappointed Lavos. He’d started to like Wen.

  “I would have been very open to it…but it’s not an option anymore.” His features turned harsh. “My older brother died. I’m first son now, and my parents demand I mate a VampLycan to ensure pure bloodlines.”

  That forced Lavos to think about his father. “I don’t give a shit what my father thinks. Jadee is mine, and anyone who doesn’t like it can fuck off.”

  “I’ve hinted to my parents that they should have more children because I wish to shun the first-son responsibilities.” Wen straightened, pushing away from the post. “We’ll see if they listen. I’ve always been their problem child.”

  “Are you close to them?”

  Wen nodded. “Sometimes that’s a curse. Guilt is a shitty thing to feel when they depend on you to keep them happy. They even drag the memory of my brother into it occasionally, telling me what he’d do if he were still alive. I just wish for the freedom I once had as second son.”

  “I totally understand that. I never envied Lorn his position in the family. Our father has always been an asshole but he was ruthless with Lorn.”

  “You weren’t close to your father?”

  Lavos shook his head. “Lorn had to beat him down and banish him when he stepped up for leadership. Dad and Decker were a lot alike.”

  “Damn. I’m so sorry. Are you two handling it okay? I can’t imagine what I’d feel if my brother had to fight my father.”

  “He gave Lorn no choice. We expected that fight to happen eventually, and Lorn had my full support.”

  “Your mother?”

  “She’s always welcome to visit the clan but she left with him. He’s her mate.”

  “Damn.”

  “It’s been rough all around, but Lorn was the best choice to take over the clan. We sure as hell weren’t going to allow Nabby to get control. We used to dub him Decker Junior. He acted just like him.”

  “A greedy prick?”

  “Cruel, a bully, and he got off on the pain of others.”

  “Where is this Nabby?”

  “Buried near a few of Decker’s other most trusted that he left behind when he fled the wrath of Lord Aveoth. Nabby was the first to officially challenge Lorn.”

  “I was serious about offering to stick around for a bit. I’ve got nothing going on right now and everyone is invested in your brother holding this clan.”

  “Won’t your clan miss you?”

  “I travel a lot for Trayis. It’s fine.”

  “Do you mind if I ask exactly what you do for your clan?”

  “We’ve been buying up some land to expand our territory. Some of the surrounding human families left the area but still retain ownership. I track them down and see if they wish to sell to our clan. Some do. Some don’t.”

  “Do you ever convince the latter?”

  Wen shook his head. “Rarely. Their fathers and grandfathers, sometimes great-grandfathers, are the ones who busted their asses to stake claims to the land put up by the Homestead Act. They had to survive and thrive to keep it. It’s an important part of their family history, and some even hold gatherings over the summer months every year. We’d never take that from them by messing with their minds.”

  Lavos definitely liked the guy.

  “We also visit the pack formed by our relatives who left Alaska. They settled in Colorado.”

  “I’ve never been.”

  “It’s damn pretty. I actually bought some land there.” Wen grinned. “It’s near the pack.”

  “The alpha doesn’t mind?”

  “He knows I have no interest in taking over his territory, and he’s found it handy having a VampLycan around from time to time. I once dreamed of moving there but then my brother died. I’ll eventually give the land to the pack, but for now, I just like being able to call it home from time to time.”

  “Sounds nice.”

  “It’s close to the territory that some of your ancestors live in too. The Lycans left for Colorado together and split their territory among four different packs.”

  “We were forbidden to keep in contact with them.”

  “Yeah. It seems nobody from Decker’s clan keeps in touch with their Lycan families. The other clans do, but not to the extent that Trayis encourages it with our people. Family is important. One of his brothers is the alpha of our lineage pack.”

  “How did that happen?”

  “Trayis’s mother was a Vampire victim, and after he took charge of the clan, she left with her Lycan parents. She mated a Lycan and had another child. Trayis and Arlis are actually half-brothers.”

  “They’re close?”

  “As close as two brothers can be, living so far apart, but yeah, they seem tight. It’s another reason I’m welcome there. I’m one of Trayis’s friends, as well as an enforcer. I’m trusted by the pack to never do them any harm. They have no fear of us.”

  “That’s good.”

  “It is. Even a few of the GarLycans visit their family pack. You should go one day and meet them.” Wen glanced around. “So you want me to stick around for a bit? I have to admit I’m curious as hell about this clan, and I would like to help you and your brother keep it.” He held Lavos’s gaze.

  “We’d appreciate it. Thanks.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jadee and Kira sat a few feet apart on a couch in a cozy living room. She’d met the father, Davis, who’d been nice, but he’d gone back outside to pull guard duty. It left them alone.

  “I bet you have a million questions.” Kira grinned. “You can relax. Dad can intimidate, but then again, all the men in the clan do.”

  “Everyone is so big and in shape. I feel tiny.”

  “Me too,” Kira admitted. “I take after my mom. Short. They’re also muscular because they shift into another form, and it’s quite a workout. I used to envy how much food these people can put away and never gain an ounce of flab. I looked at a cake and could feel my stomach bloating.”

  Jadee glanced at Kira’s body. “You don’t seem to have that problem anymore.”

  “I can’t full-on shift yet but I can grow claws. It speeds up the metabolism. I’ve noticed a difference since my attack.”

  “Lavos said you were mostly human, then a Vampire turned you, but now you’re like the others here.”

  “Except for changing forms.” Kira lifted her hand but then paused, staring at Jadee. “I was going to show you but I don’t want you to be afraid of me. We’re family now. I’m trying to put myself in your shoes. Are you completely wigged out? Lavos said he told you everything, but he’s a man. They have a different idea of that than we do.”

  “I’m not exactly the run-of-the-mill person. I grew u