Kraven Read online

  Lake nodded. “He’s a bit of a loner but not someone to fuck with. I was also warned by my sister to avoid speaking or even getting too close to a particular woman in the clan. She smells completely human but her father is a VampLycan. Lorn is her protector.”

  “The kid I met said something about a human,” Kraven remembered.

  “Kira. That’s a mystery I couldn’t solve. Nobody seems to know why Decker would allow her to live there, unless it has something to do with her father. Davis runs their community center and hosts events for the clan. Maybe he and Decker are friends or they made a deal.” Lake shrugged. “I was surprised to smell a human there but was assured Davis is her biological father.”

  “Is Lorn her mate?”

  “She’s an outcast, Velder. I witnessed the way she was treated on occasion while visiting that clan. No one speaks to her and they avoid contact. I think Lorn might feel sorry for her. My sister does.”

  “That is strange. Davis must have something on Decker,” Drantos assessed. “I’d love to know what that secret could be. Friends wouldn’t allow the daughter of one to be shunned. Are you close to Davis, Lake?”

  The enforcer shook his head. “No. He keeps to himself too. Decker’s clan isn’t as social as ours. It’s got a whole different vibe there.”

  Their father leaned back in his chair. “Do you think Lorn would be interested in taking over his clan?”

  Lake took his time before he spoke. “I’m not sure, but he’d make a good leader.”

  “What makes you think so?” Their father’s eyes narrowed.

  “I’ve seen him interact with the clan. Kids like him and he’s good with them. One of the enforcers, Nabby, tends to be cruel. He picked on a group of teens, trying to assert his dominance. None of the youths challenged him. He just seemed to want a fight. Lorn went chest to chest with him and forced him to back down. My sister told me that people go to Lorn for help if they have problems with Decker’s enforcers. He makes them back off.”

  “I’m surprised Decker hasn’t killed him.” Their father scowled. “This Lorn sounds like a natural enforcer, yet he won’t work for him?”

  “Decker is longtime friends with Ladius. He might not want to infuriate him by killing his only sons. Decker needs every ally he can keep. The brothers are tight. They’d kill or die to defend each other.” Lake stood. “May I go? I’m on duty in a few minutes.”

  “Go. Thank you.” Their father gazed at Kraven and Drantos, waited until Lake closed the door. “We’ll reach out to Lorn by phone and test the waters. It would be best if the clans remain divided, providing this VampLycan has honor.”

  “Agreed.” Kraven wanted to go home too. “Are we done?”

  “Yes.” Their father snorted. “I forget you’re both newly mated.”

  Kraven led the way back to his cabin. “How did Mom take meeting Dusti?”

  “Bad. I mean, she didn’t attack Dusti or anything. Mom advised her to get pregnant right away since she’s so human.”

  Kraven winced. Bat would lose her temper if their mother ever said something like that to her. “Shit. How pissed is your mate at you?”

  “She damn near got herself killed confronting Decker to prove her worth to the clan and our parents. Dusti will say otherwise but it boils down to that. We’re good, but you’d better point out to our mother that your mate is less tolerant than her sister.”

  “You’re the first son. I’m not under pressure to produce offspring for future generations.”

  Drantos growled. “Fuck you.”

  Kraven chuckled. “It’s good to be the younger brother.”

  “I’m just glad you’re finally here. It will give Dusti more support to have her sister to talk to and commiserate with.”

  His good mood fled. “Bat wants to return to L.A.”

  Drantos stopped and gripped his arm. “You’d hate it there.”

  He faced him. “I know, but she’s my mate. I’m not giving her up, regardless of what it takes to keep her.”

  His brother studied him with narrowed eyes. “You fear if given the choice between the life she had and the one you could offer her, she won’t chose you?”

  “We’ve barely exchanged blood. The bond isn’t strong. Hell, I’m not even sure if we can form the kind you have with Dusti. Those Vampire traits help with the telepathy link with a mate. Bat is barely Lycan, and I don’t taste any Vamp in her at all.”

  “You’d feel trapped in the city.”

  “It would be worse being without her.”

  Drantos released him and sighed. “I’m so sorry. Why’d we think finding mates would be so damn easy?”

  “We were younger and naïve. She’s worth it. Whatever the cost, I’m not letting her go. She’s mine.”

  “I understand.”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  The front door opened and a tall dark-haired woman entered.

  Bat frowned, assessing the uninvited intruder into Kraven’s home. She stood, ready to confront her. Suspicion that it was one of his ex-lovers immediately came to mind. Dusti rushed to her side.

  “Hi, Crayla.” Dusti elbowed Bat. “This is Drantos and Kraven’s mother.”

  Bat managed to keep her mouth from falling open. Kraven had warned her that his mother looked young, but she seemed to be the same age as her sons. “Hello.”

  Crayla closed the door and openly studied her. Her nostrils flared as she sniffed the air. “You smell just as human as your sister. That’s a disappointment. I was hoping you’d carry a Lycan scent but I can’t pick it up.”

  “Excuse me?” Bat took offense.

  “You’re as weak as your sister. It’s disappointing. Isn’t that clear enough?”

  Her temper boiled fast. “Listen up, bitch. Don’t you dare walk in here like you own the place and―”

  “Okay,” Dusti yelled, slapping her hand over Bat’s mouth. “Let’s not get off to a bad start.”

  Bat reached up and yanked Dusti’s fingers away, glaring at Kraven’s mother. “Don’t ever do that again, Dusti.”

  “She can shift,” Dusti whispered. “Calm down.”

  “As if I care.” Bat took a step forward and lifted her chin, refusing to look away from Crayla’s steady gaze. “I won’t be talked to that way. My sister let me in on how you treated her. How dare you? We might be more human than you’d like but at least I don’t have to spend a fortune on razors.” She glanced down at Crayla’s body. “I hope you invested in one of those companies, what with those long legs of yours. That’s a hell of a lot of space to keep shaved.”

  Crayla’s mouth parted and she appeared a bit stunned.

  “What? I’m sure you don’t see turning into a big dog as a bad thing but from my point of view, that has to suck. I spent a small fortune on laser hair removal. That’s how much I detest body hair. I won’t put you down if you lay off the insults too. That’s the only way we’re going to get along. Is that clear?”

  Crayla firmly sealed her lips.

  “That’s right. I don’t take any shit, lady. I’m also not getting pregnant anytime soon, so don’t even go there. I’m Kraven’s mate. You don’t have to like it but it seems pretty set in stone, from what your son told me. We can either call a truce to get along or holidays are going to be pure hell. That’s entirely up to you.”

  “I see.” Crayla crossed her arms over her chest but then smiled. “I can respect that.”

  “Great,” Dusti muttered.

  Bat relaxed. “I don’t want to have a bitch war with you, Crayla. I love your son and he loves me. Dusti and I aren’t used to having family besides each other, but I want us to all get along. It’s not a requirement though if you keep being nasty.”

  “I like you. You’re very outspoken.”

  “That’s who I am,” Bat admitted. “So, truce?”

  Crayla grinned. “Yes. It’s a shame you can’t shift. I bet you’d have made a wonderful predator.”

  “I don’t need claws or fangs. I’ve got a mouth and a