Page 12 of Meet Your Maker: Part One

Chapter Four

En Flagranté

— Tomas —

“Relax,” Xavier says, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “If he were going to combust, he’d be a pile of ash by now. He’s just… snoozing.”

Sunday’s muffled voice filters out from under Grayson’s bulk. “Looks like my blood is still working—still doing its weird stuff.”

Ben’s voice is tight, worry threading through every word. “Let’s really try to keep that information in the family, okay? Rurik could become even more of a problem.”

He’s right, of course. Her blood could offer vampires the power to walk in daylight, tipping the scales in ways I can’t even fathom. If she retains that gift after turning, she could make an entire house of vampires sun-proof. Combined with her empathy, her magic, and her intelligence, she becomes an irresistible prize—not just for vampires, but for anyone who wants to control that power or keep it out of their hands.

Ben lifts Grayson easily while Xavier carefully unlatches his fangs from her neck. The brief sound of suction makes my wolf’s ears twitch, and from the look on Ben’s face… I assume sunrise caught them en flagranté.

Sunday scrambles out from under Grayson’s body and bolts to the adjoining en suite, slamming the door behind her. It pops back open on its hinges, and we all hear a string of curses that would make a sailor blush.

Ben and Xavier roll Grayson’s deadweight closer to the wall. They pull a blanket over him, but it juts up comically—his cock acting as the world’s most inappropriate tentpole.

We start to turn away, but my wolf’s nose lifts, catching the mingling scent of Sunday’s arousal and Grayson’s drying cum. It’s intoxicating, sharp, and impossible to ignore. A low whine escapes my throat before I can stop it.

Honestly, I don’t even try.

Jealousy seeps in, dark and acrid, but I lock it away. Now isn’t the time. We have Sunday, and that has to be enough.It is enough.

Xavier brushes past me, their touch a deliberate graze along my side. A ripple of Omega magic flows through the bond, a tide of tranquility. My wolf calms, the tension unwinding bit by bit. This gift of X’s isn’t one we can afford to refuse. I worry we’ll need their soothing presence more than ever in the months to come.

With my wolf steadied, I shift quickly and check the light-blocking panels, ensuring they’re secure. Ben’s gaze is locked on the bathroom door, his quicksilver eyes betraying his own struggle. It’s probably the scent of Sunday’s blood. If the sheets weren’t black, the bed would look like a crime scene.

“With that door broken, one of us will need to stay in here all day,” I say, my voice steadier than I feel. I pull the curtains across the alcove where the bed sits, relaxing slightly once Grayson is fully protected from the sun.

We don’t know how long her sun immunity lasts. Does it wear off? Is it used up with repeated exposure? Questions for another day. Today, there’s already far too much to do.

“So,” I say, addressing the closed bathroom door, “any thoughts on who should lead the WRE now?”

“Afraid those decisions are above my pay grade,” Sunday’s muffled voice replies, dry and amused. “Let’s just wait till Gray wakes up. It’s a vampire kingdom, after all.”

The sound of water follows, and my wolf stirs immediately, sending me vivid images of… let’s call it helping her. The steamy heat, the slide of skin—damn it.

I push the thoughts aside, focusing instead on Grayson’s still form, the smell of blood in the air, and the weight of what’s coming.

“A vampire kingdom with more shifters and demons than vamps…” Xavier quips, leaning casually against the doorframe, a sly grin pinned to their face.

I shoot them a look—one that clearly says,Please don’t make this a cause for her. I just want to take her home and leave the least terrible vampire in charge. Yes, I manage to convey all of that with one look—and maybe a little pack bond magic for good measure.

The door swings open, and she steps out, nude and utterly fucking gorgeous, her hair curling wildly around her face. As if she can read my mind, she pats it down self-consciously. But if she really were telepathic, she’d know she looks stunning right now.

The three of us gawk like idiots.

Idiots, because she immediately finds a robe on the floor and covers up all that pretty skin.

“I thought nudity wasn’t a big deal for shifters,” she says, pointing a finger at me. “Tomas is naked. Stare at him.”

“No thanks,” Ben huffs as he drops onto the couch. He motions for Sunday to sit on his lap. She hurries over, and I wonder what she feels across their bond. Is she uncertain? Worried? Tired? There’s so much I want to do for her—so much I would do if only I had that connection, too.

Xavier takes the spot next to Ben, pressing into his side and running a possessive hand over her creamy thigh, exposed by the short robe. She relaxes instantly, and Ben pulls her closer, his arms wrapping around her protectively.

“Let’s all get dressed and order coffee. We’ve got a lot to figure out.” Sunday’s eyes slide to Gray, then back to me.

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