Page 130 of Smoke and Lure

“We all understand tension is high for everyone right now.However, antagonizing my Second will simply exacerbate the situation.If things were reversed, I’m sure you’d feel the same, Amaros.”Aodh’s voice was steady and controlled.

His brother was the consummate diplomat.

“Perhaps,” was all Amaros would admit as the sleek vampire strutted to the other side of the table to his mate across from where Liekki had Avalore.

“Thanks, Aodh.”Iskah nodded at Aodh, then glanced around at all gathered.“It is evident that a few of us have a lot to explain.I ask that we just all keep it together until the Ursine arrive.It seems there is something larger at play here.”

Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the space.

Liekki spotted the two Lupines, dressed casually in Khakis and polo-style shirts, their idea of dressing up, leaning back on the inside of the table along the opposite half of the C-shaped tables with their arms folded, watching what was happening.

It was on the tip of Liekki’s tongue to ask the two wolves if they wanted fucking popcorn.Instead, he cupped Avalore’s chin and tipped her head to the side.“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Liekki.”She grabbed his wrist and tried to pull her face away.

“Let me see.”He wouldn’t allow it until he’d checked her out for himself.If the newly turned vamp had managed to scrape Avalore’s skin and get even a drop of Vampire serum into her, it could complicate things.He wasn’t sure in what way, but if and when he mated with her, he wasn’t sure what the ramifications would be if Vampire essence happened to combine with Drahk blood.

There was a reason preternaturals did not mix—it could mean death in many ways.

Avalore did not have a genetic disposition to become a Vampire, but their serum could still alter humans, making them their servants or Prime, controlled by them.

His dragon might refuse to claim Avalore.Even though his beast already saw her as his.However, dragons saw things in black and white.

Liekki didn’t want to take the chance with Avalore’s life.

He assessed her.The sienna skin of her neck was smooth, unmarred, and unblemished.The tightness, which he hadn’t even realized had arrested his chest, released some.

Staring at the lovely column of her throat, Liekki had the urge to kiss her there.No, instead, start at that spot and continue down over her shoulder to her breasts and lower until his lips met those below her belly.

Avalore’s breathing picked up, and he felt a slight tremor in her touch at his wrist.

Fuck, she was so damn responsive to him.

When he felt the throb of his groin, he lowered his hand and took a half step back.

Her arm fell away.Avalore licked her lips nervously and kept her gaze on his chest.

“Avalore.”

He waited until her eyes met his because he needed her to understand something.

The rich jade and bronze flecks of her gaze rose to his face.

“Your friend, Michaela, isn’t the same.She’s a Vampire.Newly turned.”

She glanced around his broad shoulders.He was sure towards the female in question.When Avalore’s eyes met his again, she was frowning.“What does that mean?”

“It means, in layman's terms, she may not mean to hurt you, but she will because she can’t control the hunger inside of her right now, even if she wants to.Until you—” Liekki cut himself off, unwilling to voice the words on his mind right now.“It’s best you keep your distance.”

“You said until I.”Avalore was too keen for her own damn good.“Until I what?”

“Good day, everyone.”Dov, the bears’ Alpha, came lumbering in with Turi right behind him, dragging something wrapped in a tarp.Both men wore dark slacks, dress shirts, and button-down vests.

Everyone gathered turned to eye two males as big and towering as trees but still a few inches smaller than Drahks.

“Can someone please explain what the hell is going on?What the fuck is this?”Dov continued.

There was a thump as Turi let go of the large object he was carrying, and then he flung back the flaps of the covering to reveal the atrocity inside.

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