Page 30 of The Vampire's Thirst
With both hands on his brother’s leg, Thorn pulled in opposite directions until the bone popped into place.
Sati shifted, eyeing Thorn cautiously before she returned to the fire. There, the she-wolf nestled her large mate, once again stroking Luka’s fur.
As the chilled air of night approached, Thorn added logs to the dying embers. He left the cave to hunt, bagging a fatally injured deer. After he dressed it, he made several trips to bring the meat into the chamber.
In front of Luka, he put a hunk of raw thigh. Over the fire, he grilled steaks for Sati and himself. With the scent of the deer flesh under his nose, Luka lifted his head. After tearing off pieces to eat, he returned to sleep. To heal or survive, a shifter needed just a bite or more.
Two days, he and Sati waited in the cave with the injured wolf. Thorn moved only to get water, cut off meat, or cook. He rested his back against the limestone walls, his chin dropping to his chest, catching sleep when he could.
A snarl woke him. Thorn snapped his lids open. Luka was stalking on his belly, head lowered with his paws pulling him forward.
“Back the fuck off, asshole.” Thorn didn’t twitch a muscle. He closed his eyes, unconcerned with the threat, his body showing disdain for his brother’s power.
When Thorn finally cracked his lids, Luka had shifted. Though caked with dried blood, he looked healed but dispirited. His shoulders slumped and his brows hung heavy. “I lost the pack, brother. Our family has been alpha for centuries. I lost it. What am I going to do?”
“Don’t ask him,” screamed Sati, jumping onto her feet, hands flying. “It’s his fault.”
Luka swung toward Sati, his eyes flashing amber. “I know you love me, mate, but right now shut the fuck up. This is my fault. Thorn doesn’t want the pack. He never wanted them, even after he defeated Father. It was his by combat, but he gave it to me. So show him respect, something I have failed to do.” Despite his harsh words, he stroked her hair.
Sati relaxed her taut muscles, saying no more.
Thorn crossed his ankles, his bare legs stretched out in the dirt. “What you will do is rest, get strong, and think hard about what you want.”
With a sigh, Luka flopped down on the ground near his older brother.
“When you decide, act. If the alpha life is not for you, find an honorable pack. Petition to join. On the other hand, if you want the job, ask yourself why. Because of me? Because of Father? No good. If only you can save the pack, can make their lives better, then fight to win them back. Get healthy. Train. Challenge Karth to regain control. That’s a hard road, brother.”
“You’re right. I need to think.”
“Whatever you decide, I’ll stand by you.” Thorn clasped his arms around his sibling and held tight. “Whatever you decide.”
Luka’s head dropped onto Thorn’s shoulder.
Breaking off the embrace, the Firebrand shifter leaned against the wall, the damp chill sinking into his bones. “I’m headed to Montana for a while. If you want to get in shape at my ranch, you and Sati are welcome.”
“No, but thanks. I’ll stay here for a bit. This was our refuge as kids. It worked wonders for us then. Maybe I can draw on its healing power again.”
****
Dax lazed into the couch, stretching his legs onto a worn coffee table. It was becoming his evening routine. Four wolfhounds on the floor. Too comfortable. Too familiar. Too peaceful. But he had an excuse. Since he was stuck here for some time, he’d play nice. Besides, he lacked the will to devise a move-on plan.
He’d even resorted to non-sexual feeding. Not from a fucking cup, mind you. Had he ever drunk that way? If he had, he sure didn’t remember. So for the time-being, he took from Chiara’s wrist, biting while he blocked all thoughts of fucking her.
A total gentleman.
“Do you have any booze?” Dax threw an arm over the back of the sofa.
Chiara slipped out of her chair, pivoting left. Right. “Yeah. Somewhere.” Her finger rested on a tasty plump lip. “I put it in the pantry. I’ll look.”
“A big glass.” Alcohol had a limited effect on Aeternals. Of course, anything was better than nothing.
The little witch clinked a tumbler of golden-brown liquid onto the coffee table. Sniffing the one in her hand, she asked, “Do you think it’s spoiled? I’ve had it for some time.”
Dax’s eyes narrowed. Then he laughed. “No. It’s whiskey, not milk.”
He took a long pull, savoring the burn. Where was he? How would he get home? Without a D-chip, he couldn’t open a portal or communicate with hisfrerons. He had to locate a friendly to give him a lift to Scath.
Though Dax was physically healed, the warlock had done a number on his vampire powers. They were too polluted to use. He’d need more strength before he could shadowflash. Without that ability, his traveling would be slow. “Where are we?”
