Page 186 of Smoke and Lure

He could imagine how Liekki felt right now, having his mate locked inside the fortress of the selfish, conniving government that had exploited Avalore like she was nothing.For now, the blue dragon’s claws were bound until the plan unfolded.

Inhaling, Chanin filled his lungs with his mate's vanilla scent.He would ensure his Pack upheld their part of this attack, but his main priority was Morlie and ensuring no harm came to her.This was her first large-scale battle, and he could feel the tension coming off of her—not fear, but eagerness.

Waiting is the hardest part.

I can feel each hair of my fur standing on end.Morlie shifted slightly.

Just stay close to me.

Mate, I think I’ve proven I can handle myself.

And I’ll handle anyone on your six, he growled low.

Then it happened.It had taken forty-five minutes before the wide, heavy metal gate began to rise.

Omega Pack!Chanin ordered as his wolf shot forward.

Morlie on one side and Bleddyn on the other.

Behind him, his Pack was led by Boris, Minsi, Lovel, Raul, and Wolcott with Fang Warriors taking up the rear, Faolan charging with Liekki’s big-ass broadswords to hand off to Avalore.

Paws ate up the distance, racing through the trees at breakneck speed.They reached the entrance before the gate was more than halfway up.

He saw the Drahk mate, Avalore, stooping under the rising gate, her blood-spattered clothing proof that she’d had to fight and kill her way out.Her muddy shirt was gone, and she stood in only a sports bra, which covered her upper body and proudly displayed her markings.Her hands were outstretched and steady, ready to receive her swords from Faolan.

“The vehicles are parked to the left,” she directed, twirling her swords, a smile stretching her features as she side-stepped the darkly dressed solider at her feet with his head twisted and cocked in a direction that wasn’t natural; his ghostly eyes staring nowhere, wide and vacant.

When he entered and rounded the corner towards the parking area, Chanin spotted Michaela, who stood at the control for the entrance.Unlike the spots that peppered Avalore, Michaela was drenched in blood.It coated her hands, the lower half of her face, and practically the entirety of the front of her pants and top.Her eyes were crimson, surrounding her dark pupil.

The other soldier lay slumped against the wall beside the female Vampire with the front half of his throat ripped out.

It was evident that both women had exacted their revenge on the evil scientists who held them captive and abused them.

The air unsettled around him, and Chanin’s skin tingled a moment before a swirl of black smoke formed into Amaros, dressed in a dark-green three-piece suit that was almost black.Chanin shook his head at the Princess of Darkness, who didn’t know the meaning of casual dress.

The Vampire encircled his mate’s waist, not thrown off by her drenched apparel.

“None of this blood better be yours, mate,” Amaros growled, cupping her face with one hand and holding her close with the other.

“Not a drop,” she smiled and leaned into him.

“That’s my good little angel.”Amaros fisted her hair then dragged Michaela’s head back, titling it at an angle for the best advantage for him to lick across her mouth, clearing a path of blood before kissing her.

The carnivorous kiss ended as quickly as it started.

“I’m still hungry.I could do with another bite or two.”A wicked smile stretched Michaela’s mouth.

“Because you’re eating for four.”Amaros brushed the back of the knuckles of his free hand over her stomach.

Leaving the mates to their stolen private moment, Chanin’s wolf headed in the direction of the vehicles.

His wolf’s paws skidded to a stop as he came to the large space filled with over fifty fully-armed military vehicles.Since the world had been altered and impassible other than by air, he knew that the government kept the fleet to reclaim the territories from the preternaturals, or worse, against their own—people experiencing poverty who they’d left with practically nothing.

He had little doubt after the stories Morlie told him about how the Dispatch lived in the district and discovering the scientific abuse of Avalore and Michaela that the human government were the worst kind when they didn’t take care of those less fortunate even when they had been allowed to start over and make things better for all.However, now there wasn’t an ounce of thought that the government leaders deserved salvation when this was all over.

Alright, everyone, let’s do this.Faolan, I want the Fang Warriors to sniff out any of those mutant beasts still here, starting in the halls of the lab.

We’re on it.“Duko...Warriors, let’s go.”He glanced over at Minsi.“Mate, you're with me.”

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