Page 5 of Forced Bonds

Jennifer just frowned and looked at me like I was dumb when she answered, “Books.”

I rolled my eyes. “No shit? I mean what else is in there? The vampires clearly want in, and usually they only want blood. I doubt you have a blood cellar in there, so what is it?”

Freddy bumped his arm into hers, likely silencing her. Interesting. “There’s nothing of value in there,” Freddy stated with confidence. He was a good liar. I had to give him that.

“So, they just want to educate themselves… I see.” They eyed me warily.

Jennifer seemed done with the topic, and nodded in the direction of the dust piles. “I understand now why Alpha had us helping you out.”

I nodded in agreement. “I appreciate it. Hopefully tomorrow night won’t be as bad.”

Chapter Three

Benjamin

Tomorrow night was just as bad. Worse, actually. Mainly because I only had Freddy as backup. Jennifer had gotten hurt before they’d reached me and was tended to by their healer. Freddy and I faced fifteen vampires and I prayed more backup was coming. We’d already killed twenty and my arm was shaking from firing off so many shots.

“This is insane!” Freddy shouted, and I wholeheartedly agreed. I had to admit defeat. After we’d blasted these rogue sons of bitches to hell, I would need to call Hazi. No matter what, I had to survive. I had to be alive to protect those innocent children.

Feeling done with it all, I grabbed inside my jacket with one hand and tugged at the small pouch. With it secure in my hand, I quickly switched it to my other hand and threw it at the cluster of vampires. It hit the ground and a boom reverberated as the small bomb went off, killing ten of them instantly.

Freddy didn’t even bat an eye. He just kept shooting at the last ones standing. We were panting by the end. Of course that was when the alpha and five officers came running to our aide.

“We heard an explosion,” Christopher stated, looking around the dust filled area with a grimace.

“I hit them with a bomb,” I said, pointing out the obvious.

“Why are you carrying bombs?” he asked incredulously.

“For the main purpose of not dying,” I replied.

“It was fucking awesome!” Freddy exclaimed. “We were as good as dead if he hadn’t done that.”

Christopher visibly winced at that, rubbing his chest as if in pain. Dramatic much? So, what if I ruined a bit of the playground? At least the parents would be alive to complain about the blown-up swing and not left behind as bloodless husks.

I faced the alpha when I uttered words I’d never said before. “We need further assistance.”

He frowned. “You said you were as good as five hunters, surely this can’t be more than you’re used to.”

I didn’t waver from his accusatory tone. My pride was hurt but my life wouldn’t end because of stupidity. “I don’t mean hunters,” I said, steeling myself. “I mean other supernaturals.” I almost bristled at my own words, but they had to be said.

The alpha groaned and pulled at his hair. “Why did Hazi even send you?! You’re already backing out two nights in? Is this a fucking joke?!”

I stood my ground, glaring at the pigheaded alpha. “I’ve been a hunter for over fifteen years. I’m the best in my field. If I tell you we need backup, we need backup. I’m not risking innocent lives because you don’t feel comfortable letting other supernaturals into your town. You either beg them for help, or see innocent people die. Your choice.”

“You’re talking as if we’re at war here!” He was stomping back and forth so violently that even his pack seemed worried.

“You might be!” I shouted, hoping to get it into his head. “They want whatever it is you’re hiding in there.” I pointed to the library behind us. “And I’m not dying trying to protect whatever it is. I’m here to save lives, not be a guard dog!”

The alpha scoffed. “Like you could be a guard dog, you can’t even do your fucking job!”

“I did my job!” I yelled back, my anger rising. I was tired. I was exhausted. And most importantly, I was fucking horny having this alpha get all feisty in front of me. I had serious issues. And I blamed it all on the wolf.

“You obviously didn’t! If you did, the vamps would’ve been gone by now!”

“That’s what I’m trying to get through to your fucking skull!” I snarled, making his people growl in warning. They did not like the way I spoke to their alpha. Tough luck. I was angry and horny, a deadly mix. I was not stepping down. “We need to find the source! And to do that we need more people! How do you expect us to kill the vampire responsible, if we’re too busy fighting off its goons?!”

Christopher seemed to finally get my meaning, his expression changing from anger to thoughtful. “Fine,” he growled. “Meeting at eight in the morning at the station. We can call Hazi and hear what he thinks.”