Page 33 of Blood Pack Beginning

Amir glanced at his smeared body and sighed. As Sasha predicted, tugging jeans over slimy legs led to some ignoble hopping and yanking just as Sasha and Diego came within sight, each of them holding a bag in each hand.

Diego pulled out a bottle of whiskey and shook it. “Turns out the shopkeeper had a bootleg stash under the counter. Who’s ready to set some shit on fire?”

The bottles of booze got cracked and poured all around the cave, minus a few stolen sips. Amir used the first mouthful to rinse his tongue before guzzling some to create a warm fire in his belly.

Once they’d drained the bottles, they exited the cave and Sasha held out her lighter. “Get ready to run because once the smoke hits the detection systems, it will only be minutes until the fire crew arrives. Given there might be witnesses outside when we exit, be sure to duck your heads to hide your faces. Also, we should split off and lose any watching eyes before heading to the truck.”

With the order given, she clicked her Zippo and held the bright flame to the only bottle left, which had a rag sticking out of the top. She ignited her Molotov cocktail and tossed it into the cave before sprinting down the tracks.

Fuck she could move fast.

Amir and the others raced after her, their adrenaline rousing quickly to give them more strength. When Diego uttered a howl of excitement, Amir and Cyrus couldn’t help themselves and joined in. His first real battle had been more exhilarating than expected.

They emerged from the subway station one at a time, Diego the cleanest of them, exiting at a slow walk before uttering a whistle to indicate the coast appeared clear. They still followed Sasha’s instructions, veering off in different directions before circling back to meet at the SUV.

Before the first fire truck’s sirens could be heard, they were on the road, heading back to Thaddeus’ version of a compound, giddy with victory.

Their actions tonight would preserve countless lives. While it might not yet make up for the deaths in Moon Dew, it was a start.

Amir leaned forward to pop his head between the front seats to ask, “So, how’d we do? Did we pass your test?”

An approving Sasha purred, “Indeed, you all acquitted yourselves quite well, and since you all can claim you killed aghoul, I guess that means we have three winners. The question being, who gets to spend the night with me first?”

CHAPTER NINE

As Sasha drove,the puppies argued about who should get the honor of bedding her first. How flattering and exciting. She almost suggested they all play at once. However, given she wasn’t sure how that would be received—especially by Cyrus—she kept her mouth shut.

Let them come to her one at a time, at least at first. Once she’d dazzled them in bed—and she would, because Sasha knew how to please her lovers—then she’d broach a possible menage a quatre. Not something she’d ever done before. Two men yes, but three… The possibilities made her crazy wet.

Alas, it wouldn’t happen before dawn. By the time they arrived at their secured base, she couldn’t even indulge in a shower because the boss wanted her to report.

She found Thaddeus in his office flanked by his mates, Toni and Mark. It seemed like he rarely went anywhere without them. Weird, given he used to be such a loner, but at the same time, she liked seeing him more relaxed and good-humored.

“I hear you found a sizeable nest,” Thaddeus stated without preamble.

“Bigger than expected,” she confirmed.

“Any sign of their creator?”

The odd query had her frowning. “That might be kind of impossible seeing as how Morpheus is dead.”

Thaddeus drummed his fingers on his desk before quietly admitting, “Morpheus might not have created them.”

She blinked. “Um, then who?” Who amongst the vampires would be crazy enough to want to divest themselves of their power to create ghouls. Each one took from a vampire’s essence, and even after death, that piece couldn’t be taken back.

“That is the burning question.”

“What makes you think they’re not remnants of Morpheus’ rogue army?” Sasha asked. Yes, Morpheus had stated that his Master would avenge him, but so far, they’d had no proof to show that anyone had picked up where Morpheus had left off.

“Because a very irritated Nathan just informed me that Lycans continue to go missing.”

“He’s sure they didn’t simply decide to leave their pack?”

“A mated male isn’t likely to abandon his pregnant female.”

“Shit.” Sasha’s insightful reply.

“It is my belief that Morpheus’ master continues to forcefully recruit Lycans, and I can only assume that dormants are still in peril, as well.”

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