Aveoth Read online

  “I will never allow my clan to attack VampLycans. This is your home, as well as ours. We will live in peace for as long as I live and rule. That’s a promise.”

  Velder didn’t try to hide his surprised grin. “This is the best news I’ve heard since my mate informed she was pregnant with my sons. Perhaps we could hold a few social functions together? I could hug you right now!”

  He imagined Velder actually embracing him, and tensed slightly.

  Velder noticed. “I’d never dare insult you that way. It’s just a saying. VampLycans sometimes hug.”

  “You felt joy when your mate was pregnant with both of your sons?”

  “Of course. You’ll know that same exhilaration when your mate becomes pregnant, once you decide to have children. They are a blessing. I feel thankful every day for Drantos and Kraven.”

  Aveoth glanced around again, and felt certain they were out of hearing of anyone else. “I hope to become a father one day.”

  “You’ll be a great one. It’s terrifying. I won’t lie.” Velder chuckled. “Babies are so small. They get stronger and bigger too fast, but the bond grows as well. I’m very close to my sons.”

  “I killed Lord Abotorus.” He regretted mentioning that the second the words were out.

  Velder lifted his hand as if he planned to touch Aveoth, hesitated, then let it drop. “He was a harsh man, as you said. I’ll be honest. I was kind of glad when we got the news that you’d taken over your clan. Your father had threatened to make us leave with the full-blooded Lycans once they’d decided to start over somewhere else. We held no more use as far as he was concerned, since Gargoyles refuse to mate with anyone tainted with Vampire blood. That’s how he put it. I feared for a few years that you’d feel the same, but you let it be and you’ve kept the peace. Thank you. My sons believed you didn’t hold the same opinion of us. They grieved when you stopped meeting with them.”

  “You knew we spent time together?”

  “I encouraged it.”

  “To strengthen our clan bonds?”

  Velder shook his head. “There was no motive on my part. I was aware your father could never find out. He probably would have punished you. At least that’s what my sons believed. You were their friend, and that’s why I was happy to let them spend time with you.”

  Aveoth stared deeply into Velder’s eyes, seeing only sincerity. A sharp pain jabbed in the middle of his chest. The VampLycan was a good man. He’d always suspected it, but now he knew with certainty.

  “They would welcome your friendship again. We all would.”

  Aveoth wished he could spend time with Drantos and Kraven once more. Those days had been some of happiest in his youth. “I can’t allow myself to become too close to your family.”

  “I don’t understand?”

  A war waged inside Aveoth, a longing so deep that had always remained, no matter how hard he’d try to keep it buried. Jill had changed him. He took a deep breath and blew it out. “Would you do anything to protect the lives of your sons, Velder?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s why.”

  “Your clan would want to kill Drantos and Kraven?”

  Now was the moment, if ever there was one. Aveoth stepped closer, invading the other man’s personal space. Velder held his ground and didn’t back off. His body even remained relaxed. It was a sign of trust between them.

  “The clan will see me dead if they ever discover Lord Abotorus wasn’t truly my father. He hosted my mother while she carried me inside her womb, unaware that she was already pregnant when they mated. It magnified her Gargoyle traits, so I was born with strong GarLycan blood. She never wished to mate with that cold bastard, but her family forced her to. However…she took a VampLycan lover just days before she was sent to Abotorus. And no one must ever know, or I die. They would never allow me to lead my clan.”

  Velder’s eyes widened, and he paled.

  “I stopped spending time with my half-brothers once I learned the truth, to keep us all safe. My clan will never attack yours…Father.”

  Tears welled in Velder’s blue eyes, and he clasped Aveoth’s arm. “I didn’t know.”

  “You were never meant to. This truth remains between us.”

  The tears spilled down Velder’s cheeks as he studied every inch of Aveoth’s face. “You’re my son? Your mother…she was the one who spent time with me in my hunting cabin, then disappeared.” Emotion choked his voice.

  Aveoth gripped him back. “It would have been a death sentence for my mother and I, had she told Abotorus I wasn’t his after she realized the truth shortly after my birth. It will forever be, since the clan would see us dead for the lie we’ve lived all this time. No one must ever know. Do you understand? I can’t promise a new lord would wish to protect our alliance. The older generations look down on VampLycans.”

  “You have to tell Drantos and Kraven.”

  “I can’t. You can’t. Don’t make me regret this day, Father. It’s too dangerous a secret. It was selfish of me to share it but I’ve held it deep inside since I learned the truth. Abotorus never learned that I wasn’t his, but he planned to kill everyone with Lycan blood in the clan. That included all mates and younglings. Even his own. We were all flawed to him because we had emotions.”

  “You’re perfect,” Velder rasped. “You’re my son.”

  Aveoth had to look away, and he backed up, releasing Velder and making sure he let go too. He cleared his throat, and then held his gaze again. “Is this secret safe?”

  “Yes. I wouldn’t do anything to put you in jeopardy.” Velder blinked back more tears and smiled. “I have another son.” That happiness quickly faded. “I wish I’d known. I would have…” His voice trailed off.

  “Don’t go there. You found your true mate and had two sons you love. Lord Abotorus would have had my mother and you hunted down and executed if she’d fled from the promise her parents made for her betrothal. It kept both of you alive. And now I have two brothers. They are good men who I like, and as lord of my clan, I can keep them safe. This worked out the way it was meant to, and I’m grateful for it.”

  “That’s why you let them have Dusti and Bat without a fight.”

  “Yes. I’d never kill my brothers.”

  “Now you found your own mate. Is she a Gargoyle? I have a hundred questions. I want to know everything about you.”

  “She’s the daughter of one of Decker’s sons. It’s a long story, but I’ll talk to you again soon. We’ll meet in secret, if you wish. I’d like to get to know you better as well.”

  “I would love that. Anytime. Anywhere.” Velder suddenly paled. “Shit! She’s a VampLycan?”

  “Half. Her mother was human.”

  Velder’s mouth firmed into a tight line. “Your clan refuses to mate our women. Will they challenge you for leadership?”

  “It’s already been dealt with, and my clan is aware of what she is. It will be fine. I need to go now. My mate has been traumatized.” He jerked his thumb at Decker’s head. “The bastard kidnapped her when she went to pick up her things from her apartment, and I haven’t checked her over yet to see if he harmed her in any way. She seemed okay, but I need to get to her.”

  “Of course.”

  “We should hold a gathering so our clans can mingle. My Jill might like to meet her cousins your sons mated.”

  “I’d like that. If you ever have any problems with your clan accepting your mate, or anything else, you have my full support, and that of every other VampLycan clan. Your disposal of Decker would be reason enough for them to stand at your side. We’re here for you, whatever you need.”

  “I appreciate that offer, though I have trusted friends and enforcers in my clan. We can hold my reign. I chose them well.”

  “Do they know the truth about you?”

  “That you are my father? Only one. Kelzeb. We’ve been friends since the beginning of our lives. I must go. Jill is waiting for me at the cliffs. I’ll arrange for us to meet soon.”