Page 29 of Alpha's Touch
“Not at all.” Zeppelin’s voice rumbled against Preston’s throat. “But we have an audience.”
Following Zeppelin’s gaze, Preston spotted a bunny at the edge of the yard, watching them with curious eyes. “Friend of yours?”
“Distant cousin, maybe. Nosy bastard.”
Preston laughed again, the sound carrying across the quiet yard. The bunny’s ears perked up before it turned and hopped back into the trees.
“A shifter?” Preston asked.
“Nah, just a wild animal that lives in the forest. You scared it off.” Zeppelin settled back against the cushions and pulling Preston close again.
“Story of my life. I laugh, wildlife flees.” Preston stretched his legs toward the fire, wiggling his toes in his socks to catch more warmth. “I once laughed at a squirrel in the park, and it threw an acorn at my head.”
Zeppelin’s chest shook with quiet laughter. “Animals are good judges of character.” He kissed the spot just below Preston’s ear. “But sometimes they get it wrong. I love your laugh.”
“You’re just flirting with me for sex.” Preston joked, then wished he hadn’t when Zeppelin’s expression softened.
“While I do love your body, it’s more than that, sunshine,” he said, thumb brushing Preston’s jaw. “You’re brave. Braver than you know.”
Preston opened his mouth to respond when Zeppelin suddenly stiffened. His nostrils flared as he lifted his head, eyes narrowing as he scanned the tree line beyond the porch.
“What is it?” Preston asked, the playful mood evaporating.
Zeppelin didn't answer immediately. Instead, he inhaled deeply again, a low growl building in his chest, which Preston felt more than heard. The sound sent a chill racing down his arms despite the blanket's warmth.
“Zeppelin?” Preston’s voice came out small, uncertain.
In one fluid motion, Zeppelin was on his feet, the blanket falling away. His stance changed, shoulders squaring, body coiling with tension as he stared into the darkness beyond the porch lights.
“Get inside,” he ordered, voice flat and hard in a way Preston had never heard before.
He scrambled to his feet, the blanket tangling around his ankles. “What’s wrong?”
“Now, Preston.” Zeppelin’s eyes never left the forest, his body positioning itself between Preston and whatever threat lurked in the darkness.
Heart pounding, he stumbled toward the back door. His hands shook as he fumbled with the handle, finally yanking it open. Zeppelin followed, his movements predatory and controlled, backing into the house without turning away from the tree line.
Once inside, Zeppelin locked the door and immediately moved to a panel on the wall, punching in a code that made a series of mechanical clicks sound throughout the house.
“Chase!” Zeppelin called out, his voice carrying through the house. “Get Quinn and Wade. Southeast perimeter, now.”
Chase appeared at the end of the hallway, already shrugging into a jacket. “What’s up, boss?”
“Vampires,” Zeppelin said, the word falling like a stone in Preston’s stomach. “At least three, maybe more. They're testing the boundaries.”
Vampires? Actual, blood-sucking vampires? Preston felt his knees go weak. Of course they were real. Why wouldn’t they be? If werewolves existed, why not vampires? Maybe tomorrow he’d find out unicorns were real, too, and they were assholes who left glitter everywhere.
Chase nodded sharply and disappeared, the front door opening and closing seconds later.
Preston backed up until his shoulders hit the wall, trying to process this new reality. He couldn’t seem to get enough air into his lungs. Wolves were one thing—they were warm, alive, just a different shape. But vampires? The undead? Creatures that fed on human blood?
“Breathe, sunshine,” Zeppelin said, suddenly in front of him, hands cupping Preston’s face. “You’re safe here. Nothing gets past us.”
“Vampires,” he repeated, the word tasting wrong on his tongue. “Actual vampires? With the fangs and the ‘I vant to suck your blood’ and the turning into bats?”
“The bat thing is a myth,” Zeppelin said, his thumb stroking Preston’s cheek. “But, yeah, the rest is pretty accurate.”
“Awesome,” he croaked. “Just awesome. Any other monsters I should know about? Mummies? Werewolves? Oh wait, I’m already sleeping with one of those.”
