Page 138 of Warlords, Witches & Wolves

“His pack is going to be declared dead?” Owen looked stricken not happy. “That’s got to hurt.”

“It’s a rumor, but I guess you could talk to him. If you absorbed them, you’d have all the vampires you need.”

He took another step closer and held out his hand. “Not all.”

She glanced at his hand and didn’t know what to do. She wanted him, and his idea for a new pack made everything seem possible.

“And if I joined your pack what then?” She moved closer so their bodies were almost touching, the water swirling around their calves. “What happens when you want more than a vampire? Aren’t you supposed to have a wolf at your side as leader?”

“As leader I can do what I want.”

“That isn’t true.” They both knew that. There were rules and traditions that even progressive packs weren’t willing to break. “We’re making plans when you won’t even speak to me in front of others.”

“Then I will.”

“You’ll lose credibility and support if you’re seen getting close with a vampire.”

“I’ll be showing them what kind of pack it will be. One where people don’t have to hide who they are.”

“One made up of rule breakers, those who would’ve once been outcast? Who’d want that living next to their pack?”

He pressed his lips together. “I want a pack made up of those who want to live free of rules that no longer serve us. I want to live, and I can’t do that where I am. I don’t want to expose us to humans or live dangerously.”

Macey knew that feeling too well. “And if your plan fails?”

“My father will kick me out.”

He’d be an outcast, and always living on the fringes of territory, unless someone took him in, but with his rebellion revealed who would want him?

What did she want from him? A proper gathering fling where they could talk and be seen? That’s what her first gathering was supposed to be. What she’d imagined last time when she’d been old enough to understand but not join in.

His plan was dangerous. And exciting.

She clasped his hand, and he pulled her close. She kissed him, pressing her wet skin against his dry clothes. He was warm against her night chilled skin. His arms slid around her as though he didn’t want to let her go.

“I need to talk to people, get numbers, get support. But I can do this.”

“I think you can…but being seen with me might ruin your plans.” If he got his pack territory, then she’d have somewhere to go, and this could become more than a fling.

“I know, but I can’t seem to stay away.”

* * *

Macey’s skinglistened in the moonlight and her underwear offered tantalizing glimpses of what it was supposed to cover. While she hadn’t agreed to join his pack, she hadn’t laughed at him either. She hadn’t walked away. If she had, he’d have been forced to admit that she was the smarter of the two of them.

“I don’t want you to stay away, but I don’t see how this can work.” Her arms looped around his neck.

Owen hadn’t planned to tell Macey about his plans tonight. But he wanted what was between them to be more than a secret and he didn’t want to be keeping secrets either. Not when he actually needed people on his side. But that didn’t stop his heart from beating a little too hard. Every person he spoke to was a potential leak. And a leak before he was ready would sink his plans and the last thing, he wanted was to be packless.

He wasn’t sure which was worse in his father’s eyes. Macey, or starting a new pack. Either way it would go badly. As much as he wanted to hold her hand in public, she was right. This had to stay hidden for the moment.

“Neither do I, but let’s make the most of this time.” He kissed her again and her mouth opened to him. His blood heated like he’d been running with her and his dick hardened.

His father was going to kill him.

His father would kill him twice if he knew he was plotting his escape. Tomorrow he’d talk to Ajax even though they hadn’t been close for ten years and see if there was truth to the rumor, perhaps they could find a way forward without the pack being absorbed by its neighbors. While the land wasn’t as far from his father as he’d like, it would do. And it might be his best chance.

It seemed an impossible quest.

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