Page 42 of Mated By the Alphas
“What do we have on them?” I question, leaning back in my chair.
“We know the area they’re in, based on the location of the blood bank, and where the majority of the victims were taken from. There are likely more nests with older vampires. A bunch of young makers wouldn’t have the restraint to maintain a blood bank unless they were scared of what would happen if they drained every single human dry,” Remy says. “It could be one very old vampire pulling the strings. That’s where I’m leaning, based on what we know.”
“What about your mate? Ansley?” Wyatt asks. “If she was able to lead you to the last nest, do you think she could do it again? I’ve never heard of a Scion with that kind power before, but if she can help…”
“She wasn’t tracking the vampires. She had some sort of vision that told her where her best friend was being held,” I answer. “Whatever power she may have has never been developed or trained. She was raised by humans, not Scions. I looked into her family history, but there was nothing about her father. My guess is that it came from him.”
“Scions breeding with humans. Wolves mating with Scions,” Storm sighs. “Just when I thought the world couldn’t get more fucked up.”
“It can always get worse, brother. Trust me,” Jaxton growls.
“We’ll do what we can during the daylight, then we’ll do a more thorough search once the sun goes down,” I say. “Two groups, just to be safe, but let’s stay in close contact. Remy, you’re with me.”
“Guess that means the two of you are stuck with me,” Jaxton chuckles, puffing his cigar as he looks at Storm and Wyatt. “Wyatt, you’re driving.”
All of us can maintain our Third Form except for Jaxton. He’ll have to ride in the back of an SUV and stay hidden unless there’s an issue. Luckily, I know Wyatt and Storm will be safe with him if there is any trouble. He’s almost as strong as I am. Not that Wyatt and Storm can’t hold their own against a few vampires, unless it’s an older maker.
We go over the plan a few more times, then we split off into two groups. Jaxton, Wyatt, and Storm head towards the SUVs. Remy follows me to my car. He seems tense, like there’s something bothering him other than vampires.
“Are you okay, brother?” I ask as I get into the car. “Something on your mind?”
“Nothing that we need to discuss,” he replies. “We just need to find these fucking vampires.”
Whatever is bothering Remy, he doesn’t want to talk about it. That much is clear. I could push him. As Alpha, I could demand an answer. But that never ends well. It’s not leadership, and I’m barely a leader these days anyway.
“I’ve been thinking about how things happened with Ansley,” I say, hoping discussing my mate will be an easier topic than whatever burden he’s carrying. “If it’s possible for me to find a mate, then maybe it’s possible for everyone. You might find yours one day too, Remy.”
It doesn’t seem to change his demeanor. If anything, it just makes him more tense. “Maybe, Hayden,” he says, glancing outthe window. “Or maybe she’s unique. No way to know. It’s not like there’s an abundance of Scions left in the world.”
She feels unique. Like she was made for me, whatever she is. I can still taste her on my tongue. Still feel the radiating pleasure from the intimate time we’ve spent together. It feels like she did more to heal me than Morgan did, and in some ways, she did. The scars on my soul are much worse than any that could ever be inflicted on my body.
But it still feels like there’s something missing. I didn’t knot when we mated for the first time. That’s supposed to be a sign that the initial mating ritual is complete. It doesn’t guarantee children, but it wasn’t uncommon for a she-wolf to be with child afterwards. My instincts still scream for me to breed my mate. That the mating ritual, as incredible as it was, still isn’t finished.
I hope there’s nothing wrong with me. I should have found my mate long ago. Or found a she-wolf to love, if I never felt the pull towards my mate. Maybe it just takes longer because Ansley’s a Scion. What is happening between us is something believed to be impossible. I just need to give it time.
Once we get closer to the cathedral, Remy opens his laptop.
“Okay, so from the perimeter of the cathedral, we can lay out the best direction to follow based on where the missing people have been taken from. We should go that way,” Remy says, pointing ahead. “I’ll let the others know which route they should take.”
I drive along Remy’s route. We look for anything that could be used as a vampire’s nest, which requires us to stop and check numerous abandoned buildings along the way. Just when it’s starting to feel like a waste of time, Remy spots some blood smeared on the wall near an abandoned laundry-mat.
“Stop,” Remy says. “Let’s check inside. A lot of these older buildings have basements.”
It’s a nest, but all we find are fledglings and a young maker that doesn’t even get out of his coffin before Remy is on top of him. My brother holds the creature down and I rip his heart out of his chest.
“Much easier when I’m not fighting one alone,” I snarl, crushing the heart and slinging the viscera towards the wall. “This one was barely a maker. The one I fought at the cathedral was a little older.”
“Yeah, you wouldn’t see one this young on their own normally,” Remy says, inspecting what is left of the body. “Fangs are fully developed, but barely. He should still be in the nest with his maker.”
“Maybe it’s not an older maker we’re dealing with,” I say. “Maybe it’s a bunch of orphans who left the nest too early. Wouldn’t be the first time.”
“Still doesn’t explain the blood bank,” Remy growls. “That takes organization, patience, and… a little fear.”
“Everything is in disarray right now, brother. Maybe the vampires are evolving,” I say. “Any word from the others?”
“They haven’t found anything,” Remy says. “Let’s continue our search.”
In the afternoon, we get a message from Wyatt. They found a nest, and Jaxton stormed in on his own. We rush to the location, but by the time we get there, the threat has been handled. Jaxton punched a hole in a coffin before the first vampire could wakeup. Storm and Wyatt helped him deal with the others before he was in danger. Remy and I get there in time to see the aftermath.
