Page 11 of Seduced By Moonlight

Joel snorted. “They’d have to stop bickering long enough to do anything.”

“There is that,” Ward said.

The elders consisted of one parent from each councilor. Ward wasn’t sure how it came to be that the ones appointed were only male. However, since Ward had taken over as leader, he’d been pushing for his clan to embrace more modern ways, much to the dismay and resistance of some of the traditionalist elders.

He’d vowed to drag them into the twenty-first century, no matter how some of the elders screamed and kicked. One of the first things Ward had done was appoint females on his council. He’d quickly overcome opposition to that.

“Also want to remind you all that the contractor I hired will stop by in about an hour, so please be there so he may introduce himself and his crew,” Ward said.

There were more groans.

“I know, I’m not fond of having strangers on my land either, but it has to be done,” Ward said. “The contractor’s name is Kayden Lancaster, and he is part of the paranormal community, of course.”

“What did you say he was again?” Joel asked.

“He’s a telekinetic,” Ward said.

“A teek? So, basically a human.” Joel shrugged when Scarlett growled at him. “What? He is.”

“Don’t be an ass,” Scarlett said. “And no, he’s notjusta human, any more than witches arejusta human. Do you know what they can do?”

Joel shrugged.

“He can’t help being an ass,” Tank said. “That’s just his default.”

“Then he needs to get a new one,” Luna snapped. “Because humans run this joint when we’re at rest. Might want to remember that, Joel.”

“Hey, hey, hey,” Joel said, holding up his hands. “All I’m saying is that they’re basically one step above a human.”

“No, they are no—”

“Let me be clear. While Mr. Lancaster and his crew are in my territory, youwillgive them the respect they are due, Joel. Do you understand?” Ward snapped.

“Of course, Sire. I didn’t mean any disrespect,” Joel said, baring his throat to Ward.

“Of course you did, but that’s neither here nor there,” Emmett said. “If that’s all, there’s a cup of coffee calling my name.”

“Rihanna will swear her oath to the clan after I meet with Kayden and his team, but I will notify you, and the rest of the clan, when it’s time,” Ward said. “When I get a text message telling me when Kayden is on his way, I will also notify each of you. Now, go enjoy your coffee, Emmett.”

CHAPTER FOUR–KAYDEN

KAYDEN MUTTERED to himself as he headed toward the garage. Once out there, he gripped the bottom of the garage door, his muscles tensing as he pulled it up.

He made a mental note as he walked outside to get the broken garage door fixed soon. If only he knew someone in construction to do the job. He snorted as he looked outside at his construction crew as the sun dipped below the horizon.

There were several pickup trucks parked by his house. He heard the passenger door of the nearest one open with a metallic groan. Good grief, surely one of them had a can of WD-40 on them for that squeak. People in construction were notorious for not taking care of their shit, and that was a perfect example.

Turning around, he watched as Mika, his foreman—all wiry muscles, black hair, and olive complexion—walked toward him.

“Hey, Mika. I appreciate you getting everybody together for me,” Kayden said.

“It was no problem,” Mika said, as Lance, also one of Kayden’s crew, waved at Kayden from the driver’s seat of another truck. “I don’t blame our newest client for wanting to meet the crew.”

The gargoyles were a reclusive and enigmatic race, known to keep to themselves and shun society. It was rare to see them mingling with others, but that didn’t mean they were isolationists.

In fact, Ward, their powerful king, had offered his help and the strength of his gargoyles in dealing with the hunters. However, their preference for solitude and secrecy made them seem distant to outsiders.

Kayden was more than fine with that. He didn’t need to be best buddies with them to do his job, but itwasimportant that they were at ease with him and his crew so that no conflicts arose.

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