Page 43 of Forced Bonds

“And you’re safe?”

I chuckled, already foreseen this. “I am. We’re at Chris’ house at the moment.”

“That pleases me to hear. Now, please tell me everything.”

I’d only told him we’d taken care of the source and nothing more, so I began recounting what we’d just been through, to no surprise at all, it was Gabriella’s part in this that had him livid.

“To think she thought herself worthy of our coven,” he scoffed. “I knew that man only wanted eternal life, not a vampire lover.”

“Tom died a rogue,” I reminded him, making him chuckle with glee.

“A fitting death, I must say.”

“Very,” I agreed with a smile.

“Now, you mentioned the witches had scattered their scents?”

“Ah, yes. Chris couldn’t pick up a specific direction, their scents were all over the camping site,” I said.

“Hmm, I’ll need to talk to our witch allies some more. I also scheduled a meeting with them on your behalf. They want to destroy the book, and I’ve agreed to it. This book is causing us too much trouble as it is and they have assured me the world is a better place without it. Chris is the owner of the book, or the one holding it hostage might be a more fitting explanation. He’ll decide on what to do after the meeting with the witches. I just don’t want to keep coven members to stand guard for the rest of eternity. Let him know that part as well. Might make the decision easier.”

“When is the meeting?” I asked, already dreading his reply.

“Three days from now. Don’t worry, I remember how it was being newly bonded. You three take some down time, okay? Make sure the pack is happy and show your faces tomorrow, but otherwise just enjoy each other. I’ll look into the witch covens near Keen and figure out how many are working on getting their hands on the book.”

“Thank you, master,” I smiled, feeling so relieved now that I knew we had more time to just exist before we had to go out and fight again. Us taking down the “rogue creator” had meant less of a headache for the rest of the pack and coven. Now everyone could relax further. Well, not everyone. Sadly, with the witches still wanting in, that meant attacks could still happen. I just doubted it would happen tonight. Besides, the ones already on guard duty tonight would deal with any funny business if they should show.

It was dinner time now and I had a feeling my mates would sleep for eight to ten hours if no one disturbed them. I placed an order for pizza to be delivered. Pizza could be reheated, if my memory was right about human food. So it would simply go into the fridge until my men woke. Then I would give them reheated pizza for breakfast. I would spoil them rotten these next few days, and for the rest of our lives, if they’d let me. I had a feeling they would enjoy being spoiled. I also added garlic bread and some chicken wings as well. I truly had no idea what Chris preferred, but the burger options were all without bacon and my Benji loved his burgers with bacon. Burgers would simply have to wait for another time.

With the food ordered, I sat in the living room and waited for it to be delivered. I doubted it would take long, since the shop owners were likely werewolves. They would know they were cooking for their alpha. Sure enough, only fifteen minutes passed before a soft knock sounded on the door. To my immediate surprise and fury, it was Freddy standing with our food, a wide smile on his face.

“Good evening, Salizar. I hope it was all right that I delivered the food,” he said, still beaming like a lunatic. Why was he so happy? I didn’t trust people that were that happy.

“Why?” I asked, raising one brow and crossing my arms, not even bothering to take the offered food.

“Our alpha is very protective over Benji and you, I doubt he would appreciate too many packmates showing up here. Not everyone is as accepting of you two as I am, you know.”

Now that was interesting information. “They aren’t?” I asked, intrigued.

“No, sadly many of the mothers had hoped to match Alpha with their daughters. He’s the one male everyone wants to mate with and even some of the mothers seem interested in getting him themselves.”

“Werewolves,” I muttered. I had no idea what to do now that I had to deal with them daily.

“I’ve decided not to take offense to that,” Freddy said, frowning slightly. “You want the food, or?”

I took it, then watched it warily. “They haven’t, like, poisoned it, right?”

His eyes widened. “Gods, what do you take us for? That food is for our alpha.”

I nodded, mostly to myself. Werewolves were just weird. “Sure. Have a nice evening, Freddy.” Then I closed the door and took all the food and placed it in the fridge. With food secured for my men, I joined them in the bedroom, ready to stare lovingly at them until they woke.

A perfect evening indeed.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Christopher

I woke up pressed against a warm body, the scent a heavenly mix of home and desire. Benji was in front of me, sleeping safely in my arms. This was amazing and felt so right. I looked around the room and found Sal’s eyes already on us. He was sitting on the armchair that he’d placed in the corner of the room, one hand underneath his chin, his gaze piercing and full of want.