Page 98 of Sergi
“Alex, where are you going?” Remus called from the limo.
I couldn’t wait. Actually, my wolf couldn’t wait. For the entire plane ride and the drive to the estate, my thoughts continuallyshifted between intimate moments with Sergi and my wolf straining to be released.
Once my wolf had gotten a taste of battle, all she wanted to do was run. I half stumbled, leaving a trail of clothes and shoes behind me as I raced for the back of the house. By the time I was dodging plants and flowerbeds in the lush backyard, I was fully naked and only stopped by the fountain long enough to shift. My transformation was faster than normal, and I wondered if it had anything to do with the Blood Poppy that was still flowing through my veins. It had been forty-eight hours since Sergi fed it to me, and I was still energized.
My wolf was running free. I stopped after a few minutes and lifted my nose to the air. The scent of grass and musk floated through the warm afternoon air and caught my wolf’s interest. Soon, I was chasing a rabbit, but when I caught up to it and saw the terror in its eyes, I stopped. The rabbit scampered under a bush, and my wolf turned and ran.
After an hour of racing around hundreds of acres and panting hard, I found my favorite spot and dropped to the ground, my snout resting on my paws. My wolf had refused the rabbit as well as the others that had crossed our path. There hadn’t been any qualms when I’d killed four rabbits in the Carpathians.
What was different?
One was for survival, and the other for fun. I whimpered when memories of shifters, their bodies exploding from the inside, leaving nothing but bits of bone, flesh, and too much blood flitted through my thoughts. The horror in their eyes when they understood what was happening.
Hunting for sport wasn’t as fun as it used to be. Not after knowing what it was like to be prey.
I closed my eyes and woke as sunset approached. The manor was a good half-hour walk away, but it was worth shifting whereI’d napped. There was a light coastal wind that made goose bumps erupt over my naked body. It felt good, but I picked up my pace to warm up.
The run had been exactly what I needed. It wasn’t good to keep my wolf pent up for so long. I’d made a decision during our run. The past year was just that. The only thing I cared about was this day and the next. For now, that meant the upcoming war and the part I would play.
I reached the fountain, irritated that two wolves were still shadowing me.Good grief.My uncle had assigned me pup sitters. How embarrassing.
I shook my head at the fluffy robe and slippers waiting on a nearby patio chair. It didn’t matter how many times I told my uncle I’d pick up my clothes when I returned, he had someone do it for me. The gesture had been appreciated before, but now it seemed stifling.
I understood my uncle’s concern. He worried about my state of mind. His first instinct would drive him toward pack mentality, surrounding me with protection. It was his way of supporting my recovery, but his actions would be restrictive. My current opinion was that bodyguards weren’t any different than the guards at the lab—constantly watching and reporting. What I needed was freedom. It was going to be a difficult pill for my uncle to swallow.
After a shower, I stood in my grand walk-in closet and grinned. Clothes were piled on top of a chair because I’d been too lazy to put them in their proper place. Purses lay scattered across another shelf, and my favorite shoes had been piled in a corner so they would be easy to find. Like the rest of my messy bedroom, everything was the way I’d left it. I slipped on a pair of jeans, rubbing my hands up and down my thighs. Oh, how I’d missed them. I pulled open several drawers that ran along the far wall until I found the older, well-worn, and softened-with-age, forest-green pullover sweater. Nothing better than comfort clothing. With a bit of prying, I managed to reopen my ear piercings to add a pair of silver earrings. There was a slight tingle from the silver, but not enough to be irritating. The initial jolt made me feel alive.
I found my uncle in the library with Cadfael, who looked dapper in a borrowed suit, Carlos, and Braden, my uncle’s Beta. They were drinking Scotch by the looks of it, and I stopped at the bar and poured a glass of Burgundy wine.
Braden jumped out of his chair, and before I could replace the cork, he squeezed me in a bear hug. I laughed and hugged him back. He’d always been a big brother to me.
“I never gave up hope. Welcome home.” He stepped back, his hands still gripping my shoulders as he looked me over. “You’re too skinny. Paul will fatten you up in no time.” He winked. “In fact, I hear it’s steak, potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, and double-Dutch chocolate cake for dinner.”
“Stop bothering her,” Remus called from the seating area on the far side of the room. “She looks fine.”
Braden pulled me in for another hug, but this time he whispered in my ear. “I’ll try to keep him busy so he doesn’t suffocate you. But give him some leeway.” Then he said a bit louder, “You know where to find me if you need to brag about your amazing escape.”
I punched him in the shoulder, but I was grateful for his words. He’d been with my uncle since I was a pup and knew him better than me. I could trust Braden to watch my back.
After dessert, brandy, and light conversation that avoided discussions about the raid, the packs, or the coming vampire war, everyone left for their rooms. I was partway down the hall when my uncle stopped me.
“Come with me to my office. This won’t take long.”
He dropped into his favorite chair in front of the fireplace where embers burned, looking tired for the first time since seeing him standing in the mouth of the cave. I slid into a matching plush leather chair and pulled my legs underneath me.
I spent most of my youth and then adulthood sitting in this chair, listening to my uncle’s pack stories or sharing my problems as he handed down sage advice. Now, I waited, watching a spark create a low flame, as my uncle prepared for whatever was on his mind, though I had a good guess what it was.
“There have been many changes in the packs since you’ve been gone.” He crossed a leg over his knee and tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair, his focus on the fire.
“Because of the coming war?” I asked, glancing at him to judge his mood. In addition to his fidgeting fingers, his brows lowered, and the corner of his eyes crinkled, but not from laughter. He was tense, and some of his Alpha mojo was leaking out, ruffling my wolf’s fur.
“Yes. And before you ask, the local packs agreed with the decision to support House Trelane.”
“What about the other packs?”
“I’ve only spoken with the Alphas of the larger packs and explained the situation and my trust in Trelane. They in turn spoke with like-minded House leaders who support Trelane. While the other packs might not be involved in the war itself, they have shown support.”
I nodded. “They’re tired of living under the boot of the vampire Council and see the benefit of a vampire civil war.”
