Page 19 of Bitten

“The honor is all mine,” the king sputtered.

Cayton lifted his stare. The king stared at his mates with a strained look to his face.

Problems already? Perhaps there’s a reason Eilam is keeping me from his mate.

“I’m quite happy to get a moment alone with you,” Cayton said as he straightened. “As you know, my family has many businesses here in Midnight. Now that you’re with my son and his brother bear, there could be many opportunities to build tho—”

“Father, now is not the time,” Eilam spat.

“If not now, when? No time like the present,” Cayton said, smiling widely.

“Cayton,” Noah said. “The king needs a moment alone with us. I must ask you to leave.”

Cayton turned and snarled at Noah. “I have every right to meet my new son-in-law. We were just becoming acquainted.” Cayton moved closer to the king, smiling again. “I’m sure you would love to hear stories of these two growing up. I have plenty of stories.”

“Perhaps later,” the king said firmly, staring up at Cayton from his smaller size, yet somehow still looking down his nose. “As Noah said, I need a moment alone with my mates.”

Cayton grit his teeth, trying to cool his anger. He forced a smile to his lips, trying to remember honey caught more flies than vinegar. “Of course. We’re staying here in town—not the castle, of course, as my son couldn’t be bothered to have us here—but my family plans to stay for a spell. I look forward to speaking to you about the opportunities between our families.”

“Father,” Eilam growled.

Cayton turned to his son, returning the growl before he turned and stalked out. As soon as the double doors closed behind him, two guardsmen were quick to wedge themselves between him and the entrance.

Dismissed. As if I was no one! If it weren’t for me, the king wouldn’t have mates. He looked over his shoulder at the guards. They stared straight ahead, impassive.

Before he could make it back to his seat at the head table, a pale hand reached out to slow him. He paused and looked to who it belonged to.

“I was hoping to make your acquaintance.”

A leech. Cayton clenched his jaw again as he stared at the vampire. “Oh?”

“Of course. I had to know who the strong shifter was who’d given birth to males as formidable as Maximilian and Eilam. I expected him to be a towering, powerful figure—and I can say I believe my expectations might not have prepared me to meet the one and only Cayton.”

A smile formed over Cayton’s lips. “You know who I am… but I’m afraid you have me at a disadvantage.” He offered his hand to the vampire.

“Andrei. Duke of House Constantin, Second Generation Vampire.”

Cayton narrowed his stare. Second generation? He knew little about vampire hierarchy, but from what little he did know—this male had likely been alive since close to the inception of the dark bloodline.

A male that old held power. Riches. And likely had a large family of vampires under him. Strength.

Andrei took Cayton’s hand. Cayton jerked slightly at the cool feel of it, but shook it nonetheless.

“It’s fine to meet you,” Cayton said nodding, his smile growing.

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