Page 35 of Taste of Danger

Resting a foot on the porch railing, Kalen folded his arms over his bent knee and watched a rabbit run across their yard. His wolf wanted to give chase as Aldrin rested his hands on the railing and watched with Kalen as the rabbit stopped and looked around.

“Spill it,” Kalen said.

Aldrin sighed. “It is so hard to get anything past you, Frost.”

“I’ve asked you before not to mess with my head, Aldrin,” Kalen said calmly, but he was boiling on the inside. He did not and would not tolerate anyone screwing with his mind.

“It had to be done. Casimir’s enemy had just stabbed Damon through his stomach at the restaurant, so I ended Elouan’s existence, which means—”

“If he never existed, no one would remember him or the trouble he’d brought to our family.” Kalen closed his eyes, thinking about Damon being stabbed, which would have killed the pup he was carrying, and possibly Damon himself. “Thank you for saving my son and grandchild.”

“You’re welcome.”

Opening his eyes, Kalen noticed the rabbit sniffing along the grass. “Since you erased this person from existence, mind filling me in on the details so I can fully understand what’s happening? Or are you going to make us figure it out on our own?”

Aldrin leaned against the porch railing. “This one was on me, so it’s only fair I fill you in.” He reached out and touched Kalen’s temple, giving him the missing pieces, along with some extra insights.

Kalen saw Elouan meeting with Akai and making a shady deal. Thanks to Aldrin, he knew who these two were.

Elouan wanted five of Akai’s strongest vampires, and then he cast a spell to turn those five into fifty.

However, the magic hadn’t lasted as long as Elouan had anticipated, causing the vampires to turn on both him and Casimir, instead of only the warrior.

Thanks to Damon flying in to save his mate, the warrior had survived. But Elouan had been furious Casimir managed to escape, so, while still being attacked by the bloodthirsty vampires in the forest, he’d cast the spell again. This time, he made it even stronger to ensure their loyalty.

But once Aldrin erased Elouan from existence, the spell also disappeared, leaving just the original five vampires who were killed by the shifters who’d arrived at Wild Tiger Barbeque to help in the battle.

“Does this mean we don’t have to worry about a swarm of vampires showing up?” Kalen asked. “From what Arion has told us, Ozel owns him and Akai is more than likely searching for him at this very moment.”

“No swarms, but Akai still has plenty of his coven at his disposal,” Aldrin said. “Be warned, Kalen. If you kill Akai, you better eliminate the father, too. As monstrous as Akai is, Ozel loves his son deeply.”

Just like Kalen loved all three of his own.

“Good luck, wolf.”

After Aldrin vanished, Kalen made a phone call. He was done risking his family’s life by not having enough backup. With Damon pregnant, the risk was even greater now.

“You and your boys are long overdue for a visit,” he said as soon as Quinton Everhart answered.

The bear shifter chuckled. “Then I guess we need to hit the road. See you this evening.” He hung up.

If Ozel and Akai showed up anywhere near Kalen’s home, they wouldn’t live long enough to realize their mistake.

* * * *

Elvine needed to make an appearance in the Unseelie realm but worried her mates would try and stop her since she’d told them about Willopher. She’d just conveniently forgotten to tell them the guard’s name.

But the guard didn’t know her. That had been the truth. After she’d been caught and released, Elvine had done one of her favorite things. Snooping. She’d spotted the guard when she’d returned after one of her trips and followed him for the rest of the day. Not only had Elvine learned his name but where he lived, along with the fact that Willopher was a corrupt scoundrel.

In an alley, the guard had cornered one of the store owners in her village, threatening to make up phony charges to have poor Mr. Cloudypebbles arrested if he didn’t pay a “protection” fee.

The guard had taken from fruit stands and food from taverns without paying.

So, Elvine knew she was in deep trouble if he ever found her.

“Stop right there,” Raidh ground out from behind her. “I can’t believe you, dewdrop.”

Wincing, she slowly turned around to find her best friend standing on the back porch. She’d never seen him so furious.

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