Page 20 of The Death God
Thanatos huffed, which was what Gregory had been hoping for. He grinned.
“A couple of days ago, Rufus got a message from Alaric, and Alaric shouldn’t have Rufus’ number.”
Thanatos held his breath. “And you’re sure it’s Alaric and not someone pretending to be Alaric?”
Gregory pursed his lips. “I assume Rufus has confirmed it somehow. It was an invitation to an event at the pack house.”
“What’s a pack house?”
Gregory tried not to show how pleased he was by the questions, but if Thanatos was able to ask questions, he couldn’t be too freaked out about Gregory touching him.
“It’s a big building where the pack gathers when they have meetings and stuff. Alaric is the alpha, but he has a council of seven…I guess you could call them betas. They’re not as dominant as he is, but they’re nowhere near submissive. The Quin pack is strong, and I’m no expert, but I think a few of the guys on his council are strong enough to have packs of their own should they want to.”
“So they’re alphas?”
Gregory almost dismissed the question, but then he pursed his lips. “There is only one alpha in every pack, but I think it’s a title more than a testament to how powerful they are, so I guess they could be. I’m not sure, though. Shifters don’t generally share their inner workings with vampires.”
“So…If they’re not submissive, they’re dominant, and the most dominant is the alpha? Is an alpha born alpha or do they become one, like applying for a job?”
Interesting question. “I’m not sure. For as long as I can remember, Alaric has been the alpha, and if he’s been challenged, it hasn’t leaked to us. You should ask him. I don’t know if he’ll answer, but it’s a good question.”
Thanatos pushed up from his shoulder. “For as long as you can remember? How long does a werewolf live?”
Gregory shrugged. He didn’t have a clue. “For a long time.”
“So…he’s old?”
“Looks to be somewhere between thirty and forty, I’d say. Tall, dark, and juicy.” He smiled and deliberately showed off the tips of his fangs. “Anyway, for some reason, he wants us to attend, and it has never happened before. He was talking about alliances which makes us believe he needs us for something. We’re gonna go there pretending to be a couple, which is why we need to smell of each other.”
“What?” Thanatos wasn’t shouting, but it wasn’t far from.
“Rufus can’t go. He’s Rufus the Dead, he can’t show up at a party. I can’t pretend to be dating Minerva, since anyone who’s done their homework knows I’d never date a female, which leaves you or Prophecy. We all concluded Prophecy is not cut out for the role. So congrats, darling, you’re my fake boyfriend.”
“No.”
“Yes. We’re going. We need to figure out what’s going on, if there is a threat to us or if it truly is an alliance Alaric’s seeking. Though why would he? We’re two coven-less vampires and four seers. What does he need us for when he has about fifty capable wolf shifters?”
* * * *
Shit. The walls were creeping closer. “But would he invite you to a party if he planned to kill you?”
Gregory tilted his head. “What better way? Take us away from our home turf, away from any backup to where he’s surrounded by his people.”
“We don’t have any backup, and if he’s done his homework as you say, he knows.”
“Unless he thinks you’re more dangerous than you are.”
Thanatos mulled it over. “Then going there would be a bad idea. If we stay away, we can keep up the illusion. If he sees us, he’ll know we’re nothing more than glorified whores.”
Gregory hissed. “You’re not whores.”
“Could’ve fooled me.” He hadn’t meant to sound as bitter as he did. When Gregory tugged at him, he allowed it. Arms wrapped around him, and apart from when Minerva had held him when he was bleeding out a couple of months ago, it was the only time in his adult life he could remember anyone holding him.
“We’re going, and you’re my boyfriend. If he has something to say, we’ll listen. If it’s a trap, it’ll give Rufus a chance to save the others.”
Thanatos huffed. “He could’ve invited us over for pizza night, not a black-tie event.”
“Yeah. I don’t think he’ll kill us during the event.” He was quiet for a few seconds. “I think he wants us to see something or meet someone. Then he might kill us, but for some part of his plan, he needs us.”
