Page 93 of Fangs for the Memories
Her sentiments are accompanied by the sound of whooping.
“Tell me, why did I invite them again?” I gaze up into Ferenc’s face.
“Because they make you happy, and anything which makes you happy makes me happy.” He smiles down at me, a thick thumb tracing over my bottom lip. “And it is my promise to you, regardless of the claiming, that you will always be happy, kedves.”
By the time we arrive at Ferenc’s apartment block, Viktor is waiting for us, along with someone I wasn’t expecting. Dominik.
Despite asking about him, Lucy studiously ignores the vampire, who stands in shadow as they all exit their vehicles.
Ferenc growls under his breath. Dominik isn’t a threat, practically the opposite, but my alpha werewolf doesn’t like other predators in his space.
“I’d better go see what he wants.”
“Anything to get out of the human herding.” I laugh at him.
“I’ll be there to help.” Ferenc kisses me on the top of my head.
“Yeah, right.” I leave him to deal with Dominik, Viktor providing a looming shadow over them both as I direct my friends into the block where the atrium is filled with cooing noises of appreciation, and I take them all upstairs, prompting even more whistles of appreciation.
“So,” Lucy says as she drops her bag in the bedroom I’ve chosen for her. “When does it all begin?”
Ferenc
“What do you want?” I growl as I approach the vampire. “I’m a bit busy.”
Dominik looks over my shoulder at the group of human women, Grace’s friends, she’s ushering into my home. He seems more interested than I’d expect.
“None of them are food,” I add.
He gives a mock gasp. “As if I would.”
“You would,” Viktor rumbles.
My old gargoyle friend is still unhappy at being left in Budapest while I went to England and ended up shot. He sees it as some sort of failure on his behalf, and I know he partially blames Dominik for not warning me about the connection with the human male linked with Grace.
“Enough.” I hold up a hand.
“Your cousin has been surprisingly talkative, for a werewolf,” Dominik says. “You did the right thing turning him over to me.”
“I want him back.” I sigh. “In one piece. I promised my mother.”
“He is a little…punctured…” Dominik studies the silver top of his cane. “But otherwise unharmed. And helpful.”
I do my best to keep my temper under control. I didn’t want to hand Max over to the vampires, but the chances of me getting answers from him were limited. Not because he didn’t fear me, but because I was sure he’d tell me what he thought I wanted to know.
Vampires, however, are very good at extracting information. As Max is a traitor to our pack, no one is unhappy with my decision.
“He will be returned for you to do with what you wish. I’ve sent you an email with all the details he provided. Needless to say, his network is relatively basic, and you should have no issues getting your goods back.”
I give the nod to Viktor.
“On it, boss,” he says, voice like gravel. “And you need to get ready for the ceremony.”
“A claiming ceremony?” Dominik queries. “I do hope I’m invited.”
“To the ceremony? Not a chance,” I growl. “But there is a reception afterwards.”
Dominik says nothing, simply staring at me.
