Page 38 of Forbidden Devotion
Okay, so maybe shedidthink—No. This wasn’t a big deal, and he wouldn’t make it out to be one. “I was.” He hurried inside before the heat in his face turned noticeable. He was going to have to have a talk with his traitorous cheeks.
But for now, he needed to collect his thoughts and call his family. What had the Vampire Council made of the recent events?
Normally, he’d call his mother to check in, but this time he dialed his father.Dad will know what to do. He always does.
“Sinclair.” His father’s voice carried authority, even over the phone. “I’ve been calling all evening. Where have you been? Is everything all right?”
“I’m fine. I was studying and left the phone on silent.” He felt guilty for the lie, but the truth was far worse. Admitting he’d slept outside with an alpha werewolf was a good way to get carted back home no questions asked. Out of the question.
“You’ve heard what’s happened?”
“Just now. That’s why I called. I don’t know many details.”
“Listen, your mother and I both think you should come home. You’ll be safer here. The werewolves have proposed a convention this weekend to further peace between the species, to which we’ve agreed. We can revisit the issue afterward. I’ve sent Becket to pick you up.”
Oh no!Sinclair didn’t want to leave. Especially now when things were finally good. “Dad, nothing’s changed on campus. I have responsibilities here. Classes to teach. Students I’m responsible for.”
“They will get along without you.”
“I can’t leave. Besides, the alpha wolf has asked for my help. I’d like to be a presenter at the peace convention, if you approve, that is. So I’ll see you very soon. We can talk in person. But for now, please turn Becket around.”
Luther’s frustrated sigh came through loud and clear. Sinclair could see the man pinching the bridge of his nose.
“You’re asking me to go against my better judgment.”
“I’m asking you to trust my judgment for once. Please.” Why was it so hard to say things like that to his father?
“What if the werewolves on campus get riled up? What if they protest? Or riot?Youare the only vampire for them to take out their aggression on.”
It wasn’t that Sinclair couldn’t see his father’s point. It was that he’d deemed it worth the risk. And he was beginning to think of these werewolves like they could be his friends. In time.
“Dad, I live with the campus pack. I know them. Our arguments consist of whose turn it is to do the dishes. And I work directly with many of the were creatures on staff. The wolves here won’t hurt me, and I’m confident the alpha would protect me as one of his own if anyone tried.” That was quite a lot to admit, even to himself. He only hoped it would work.
“You really are something else, son.” A pause followed, and Sinclair held his breath. “I’ll stop Becket.”
His breath came out in a grateful rush. “Thank you.”
“What sort of request did this alpha make of you, and are you certain you should be doing favors for werewolves?”
“The alpha is Mitchel Edgehill.” Sinclair knew his father would recognize the surname. “He’ll be speaking at the convention. He suggested I prepare a presentation as my position here is so unique. It’s a good idea.”
“All right. You stay. Prepare your speech. We’ll talk about this on Saturday. I’ll arrange a suite of rooms for you with our delegation.”
“Thank you, Dad.”
“Mm-hmm. Be safe, Sinclair. Don’t make me regret this. And good luck with your presentation. I know you’ll do an excellent job.”
Sinclair’s chest expanded at the words of praise. “See you soon.” He hung up the phone and opened his laptop. He would do his father proud.
And if he did Mitchel proud as well? All the better.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Mitchel
The somber tripto Rocky Mount for Jordan Millerson’s funeral passed without event. Mitchel drove it in silence, without the distraction of music, lost, instead, in his own thoughts.
In his lifetime, the armistice between werewolves and vampires was rarely threatened. It wasn’t a friendly peace, never that. Rather the truce was wrought with tension and suspicion on both sides. But it held. Perhaps he’d taken as much for granted.
