Chapter 5: A Second Introduction

WILLOW

“Is there a reason you’re keeping him alive? Or do you need me to finish him off?” I question Andrei, as the vampire fights to free his throat from Andrei’s grip.

Andrei turns his gaze to the vampire, suspended in mid-air. “Who sent you?” he growls at the man.

“I could answer that for you.” I step closer, pulling out a small bottle of holy water. “What I really want to know is how many more of you are out there and where you’re hiding.”

Andrei’s eyes flicker from the bottle to me. “Who are you and what are you?” he asks.

Genesis decides to drop my block, allowing Andrei to scent me. His eyes widen as he locks onto mine.

“Wolf,” he acknowledges, dropping the vampire to the ground and looming over him. “Are you going to cooperate and answer her questions, or should I let her rip you apart?”

The vampire sneers up at me. “You don’t scare me, bitch!” he spits.

I squirt the holy water in his face, causing it to sizzle and burn. “You might want to rethink that, asshole. I’ve got plenty of toys here to make you talk,” I whisper, my voice soft but deadly.

“I’ve done this before. I know exactly how, where, and when to twist a knife. I’m really good at it too. Care to test me?” I offer him a smile.

“The king wants your secret,” the vampire snarls at Andrei.

“Tsk, tsk, tsk. I already knew that,” I respond, my voice dripping with boredom.

Andrei looks at me, puzzled. I shrug. “That’s old news. I want to know how many of you bloodsuckers he sent here, and where you’re all hiding.”

“Mihai sent you to kill me or capture me?” Andrei asks the vampire.

“He wanted us to take you, but if you resisted, we were authorized to kill you,” the vampire replies.

“So, my own brother would rather see me dead than alive?” Andrei asks, shock evident in his voice.

“King Mihai is your brother?” I ask Andrei.

“Yes. We share the same father. I was created before Mihai. When I left our father in Romania, he created Mihai. His parents had been killed in the war.

“Our father felt compelled to save him, so he turned him. It was during the war with the Turks. It was a bloody battle. Mihai was recruited to defend a warlord’s castle and fell to a Turkish sword.

“My father found him and offered him the choice of life for revenge, or death. Mihai chose life and sought revenge on all the men who attacked that night, then the warlord who fled, leaving everyone behind to defend his castle.

“I finally met him when Father and Mihai traveled to England to establish a home here. I had been here for some time and was doing well on my own. Their arrival brought trouble, so I started traveling.

“I learned new things and became more worldly and educated. Mihai finally broke away from father when hunters began killing off many of our covens and he was slowly going insane. He was the king, and when he died, it was my crown to wear as I was his oldest surviving son.

“At first, Mihai disagreed, because I had left and spent so many years apart from them, but when he finally tallied the years I spent with father, he soon realized I had spent far more years under father’s thumb than he had, so he backed down.

“It wasn’t until twenty-some years ago, when I became able to walk in the sun, did my brother’s jealousy rear its ugly head again. He asked the council to order me to disclose how I became able to do that.

“When I refused, they stripped me of the crown and my brother took the throne.”

“I didn’t ask for a history lesson, professor. I just wanted to know if the new king is your brother, but okay!” I smirk.

“Now, back to my questions, vamp.” I turn my attention back to the vampire that Andrei is still pinning down. “How many of you are here and where are you hiding your lifeless bodies?”

The vampire starts to laugh. “You won’t win. We either capture him or kill him, wolf. Nothing will stop our king. We are at the top of the food chain!” he shouts, spittle flying from his mouth.

I squirt him again with more holy water. He starts screaming, and I hold one of my knives up to his eyes. “How about I relieve you of your eyesight and leave you to wander blind into the sun?” I whisper.

“Six!” he shouts. “We came with six. We’re staying in an abandoned warehouse by the docks.”

I pat his burned face and look at Andrei. “He’s all yours, professor. I got what I needed.” I sheath my knife and put the bottle of holy water back into my belt.

“And yes, it is a nice evening.” I turn away and start to walk off. Then I stop and smile over my shoulder. “Also, my name is Willow. We’ve met before, although I was just a child then. I’ll pass on your regards to Boris. He’s worried about you, for my mother’s sake.”

“Willow,” I hear him say. Then I hear the sound of bones cracking and turn to see he’s ripped the vampire’s head off, and like the other two, he disintegrates in the wind. Then I turn to smoke, and Genesis whisks me away without a trace.

WILLOW

I reappear on the rooftop across from the fountain. Andrei is still standing there, looking at the spot where he last saw me. He shakes his head and begins picking up the clothing left behind by the dead vampires. He shakes out their dust, then drops the clothing into a garbage can next to the walkway.

He looks around, then starts walking back toward his house, hands tucked into his pants pockets. I quietly follow, ensuring he gets back and is safely inside his house. I squat down in the bushes again and resume my watch.

The lights go off in the house, and the night grows quiet. I pop a piece of candy in my mouth and suck on it as my eyes dart around the neighborhood. It’s mostly quiet, save for the occasional barking dog or hissing cat.

The moon moves slowly across the sky, and the sun begins its slow ascent. I feel Jenna behind me. She climbs into the bushes beside me with a cup of coffee and a smile.

“Here, thought you could use this. Want to fill me in?”

I take a long, satisfying gulp of my coffee, feeling a wave of pure bliss wash over me. I flash her a smile and a playful wink, saying, “Ah, the simple joys of life.”

I take another sip, then dive into the story of last night. “So, our professor friend decided to take a midnight walk around campus. He ran into a bit of trouble—three vamps tried to take him out. I stepped in to help. Now he knows my name and that I’m a wolf. I’m not sure if he’s pieced together who I am exactly, but he’s smart. I’m sure he’ll figure it out soon.”

I pause for a moment, then continue. “Anyway, he managed to grab one of the vamps. I interrogated him.”

She snorts with laughter.

“I did! I interrogated him. Of course, I had to use a bit of persuasion, but I found out they had six men, they’re down three, and they’re hiding out in an abandoned warehouse by the docks. So, I’ll call Boris and see if I can borrow his guys to scope it out and pinpoint the exact warehouse. Then we take out the other three.”

“But you know that’s just a temporary solution, right?” Jenna interjects. “Mihai will just send more, or come himself.”

She glances across the street, and we both watch as Andrei leaves his house and starts walking toward the university.

“I know,” I reply, my gaze fixed on Andrei’s retreating back. “That’s why I plan to talk to him and try to convince him to return to the Royal Pack for further protection.”

“Is he your mate then?” she asks, curiosity lacing her voice.

“Yup!” I respond, popping the ‘p’. “I’d say so. Genesis is happy. I’m still debating about it.”

“Why? If the Goddess brought you two together, there’s a reason. You know this.”

I meet her gaze, my expression serious. “He’s ancient, Jenna! I’m only twenty! I think he might have even had a crush on my mom!”

Jenna bursts into giggles. “I think every man who’s ever seen your mom has a crush on her! Hell, even I have a girl crush on her! She’s such a badass. Anyway, a crush is harmless. A mate is for life, sweetie.”

“I’m not sure I’m ready for that,” I admit. “I just got Boris to start sending me out on missions two years ago. I love what we do. I’m not sure I want to give that up.”

“Why would you think you have to?” Jenna asks. “You’re damn good, Willow. The best ghost wolf in the pack. Hell, in the world! Even your uncles from America can’t track you. Having a mate won’t change who you are—it’ll make you stronger. Maybe the Goddess is trying to make you stronger for a reason.”

We continue walking toward the university.

“Maybe,” I concede. “I haven’t had any dreams lately. The last one was two months ago, and all she revealed was that I needed to perfect my gifts because a war was on the horizon, and I needed to be strong and help my mother.”

I shrug. “I think King Mihai is the reason behind the war.”

We watch as Andrei enters the coffee shop. I nod at the other wolves from the pack on patrol.

“I’ve heard the rumors too,” Jenna says. “I know he’s behind it. I just wonder what the high council is planning to do about it.”

“I need to go shower and call my brother,” I say, nodding toward the coffee shop. “You got this?”

“Of course. See you later.” She walks toward the doors and goes inside.

I head back to the dorm, hitting the shower first. Then I pull out my cell and dial Boris. I need to fill him in on last night and maybe get some answers.

Andrei

I step out the back door of my home and make my way up the alley toward the campus. Even though I no longer hunt at night, I still love the embrace of the darkness. My inner monster still craves the anonymity of being shrouded in shadows.

As I draw closer to campus, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being watched. But every time I glance over my shoulder, there’s no one there.

I pass a group of drunk students stumbling back to their dorms. In the old days, I would have enthralled them all, feeding from each one, maybe even getting drunk myself on their alcohol-laced blood.

But now, I get my blood from a bag. It’s not romantic, but it’s enough, and I no longer risk taking a life because I can’t control myself.

They greet me and continue on their way. I follow my usual path—around the fountain, up the sidewalk, then back toward the fountain.

The feeling of being watched intensifies. I stop next to the fountain, running my hand over the cold water, letting my senses reach out to identify who—or what—is following me. I take a deep breath, scenting the air.

Vampire. I know instinctively that I’m about to be attacked. I stand perfectly still, giving off an air of obliviousness, waiting for the creature to get closer. Then, as I hear movement behind me, I whirl around!

A head rolls past me on the ground. A woman dressed in black leather moves quickly past me, taking on another vampire trying to blindside me. Another one tries to attack me, but I catch him by the throat, strangling him and digging my clawed hand into his throat.

I watch as the woman shoves her fist into the other vampire’s chest, pulling out his heart. He disintegrates into dust.

She stands still, staring at me.

“Are you leaving him alive for a reason, or do you need me to kill him too?” she asks.

I recognize her instantly. Aspen Willows. My body reacts to her presence, a surge of desire coursing through me. Why am I so drawn to this girl?

“Who are you? What are you?” I ask, even though I already know she’s not human.

Then I catch her scent. Wolf. She’s a wolf, and a powerful one at that. I’ve only met two female wolves with this kind of power before. One was long dead and my former mate, and the other was the reigning Alpha Queen, Lyric—the woman responsible for my ability to walk in the daylight.

I throw the vampire on the ground but keep a firm grip on him. She proceeds to interrogate him, using holy water to get answers. He squeals like a pig when she threatens to blind him and leave him out in the sun.

So, my brother is making good on his threats. And as long as I’m alive and as powerful as I am, he feels threatened by me. Centuries of jealousy carry a heavy price with my brother.

She learns how many more vampires there are and approximately where they’re hiding.

Honestly, I wasn’t shocked. Mihai has always been a bit too full of himself, always wanting to rule the world. He’s been throwing threats my way for a while now.

I never really took him seriously, though, because it felt like he’s been doing it since the day he was born.

Dad always treated him differently. He was tough on me, but with Mihai, it was almost like he was being pampered.

I knew Mihai had always had his sights set on the throne, so when I wouldn’t spill the beans about why I could now walk in the sun, I handed the crown over to him. I thought that would be enough. Clearly, I was mistaken.

I watch as Aspen begins to walk away. She is absolutely stunning! She moves with such sensuality!

I want to pull her into my arms and hold her close. She is cheeky and bold. Her eyes sparkle when she glances back at me.

“My name is Willow and we’ve met before. I was just a kid back then. I’ll pass on your regards to Boris. He’s worried about you, for mom’s sake.”

Then, just like that, she vanishes.

“Willow.” I stand there for a moment, trying to recall where I’ve heard that name before.

Snapping back to reality, I finish off the vampire still in my grip. After he crumbles to dust, I gather up the discarded clothes and toss them aside.

I return to my house and drift off to sleep.

When I wake up, I head to the university, hoping I’ll bump into Aspen—Willow again. I need to see her. I need to be near her.

She is pulling me in like no one else ever has. Not even my mate from centuries ago. If this woman is my mate, I’m not going to screw this up.

I am being given a second chance.