Page 44 of Alpha Power

He leaned against the door frame as she jumped in, the corner of his lips quirked up in a lopsided grin. "Don't get used to it."

Darius blurred to their side, phone resting on his shoulder. "My Lord?"

"Yes, Darius?" He asked, eyes still on Zamorra.

"Rixton is . . . indisposed at the moment, sire. He said he could be here in a few hours. Though, judging by the moaning going on in the background, I highly doubt that."

"Is that so?" Luther sang, straightening his body. He plucked the phone from Darius' grasp and raised it to his ear. "Thaddeus, if you want to live to see tomorrow, I suggest you climb off your whores and get your ass here like I pay you to do, now." He promptly hung up, handing the phone back. "Keys," he barked.

"Please," Zamorra interjected, giving him a stern look.

A pulse of magic went through the air, dark and familiar. A cloud of red mist materialised behind Luther, roughly the size of a 20c coin and then it quickly expanded, growing and growing until it was as big as a doorway.

A transportation portal,her werewolf said in wonder.

The wind picked up, power circling the air as a large imposing man stepped through, his blonde hair dishevelled, fresh hickeys all over his throat and wearing nothing but a black, silk robe. He pursed his lips, his brown eyes shooting daggers into Luther's back.

"Seriously, Luther? You couldn't wait an hour? Do you have any idea how long I've been trying to get the D'Nofrono twins into bed?" The mage grumbled, voice laced with a thick accent.

Luther sighed in exasperation, shaking his head. "I'm sure you'll be able to reschedule, Thaddeus," he said, turning to face him.

"Un-bloody-likely," he grumbled. His head bobbed to the side, catching a glimpse of Zamorra from behind Luther's massive frame. "My, my, my, and who's this lovely creature?"

"Non pensarci nemmeno," Luther snapped.

Thaddeus chuckled. "Ah, amico mio. Non credo di averti mai visto comportarti in modo possessivo nei confronti di una donna prima d'ora." He smiled. "Interessante."

Luther narrowed his eyes. "Non sono."

"You do know it's considered rude in most social circles to talk in another language around those that can't understand it, right?" Zamorra grumbled. She couldn't wait to start learning Italian

Thaddeus smirked. "My apologiesbella, I was just telling my friend here what a beautiful specimen you are."

She rolled her eyes. "I highly doubt that."

"Gorgeousandsassy. Where has Luther been hiding you?"

Red lightning flew from Thaddeus' fingertips and wrapped around Luther's body like a vice. Luther grunted when the magic took hold and then he was pushed three paces to the left as if by some invisible force.

Thaddeus smirked and stepped forward into the space Luther was just occupying. He picked up her hand, his warm lips kissing the back of it as he spoke. "Thaddeus Rixton, Master dark mage, at your service." The inside of his robe fell open slightly, revealing a perfectly chiselled chest.

"Uh, Zamorra Solaris, werewolf shifter, pleasure to meet you?" She replied, pulling her hand back. She immediately wiped it on the chair and shook it out, like she was trying to flick off the touch.

Luther growled, his eyes flashing red. "Thaddeus." He was frozen in a sea of red mist and sparks, lightning crackling around his body like it had a mind of its own, the dark magic keeping him locked in place. "Release me."

Thaddeus sighed, disappointed and clicked his fingers. The magic instantly disappeared and then Luther was standing between them, forcing Thaddeus back.

He bared his fangs, hissing. "Don't do that again."

Thaddeus smiled, giving him a light pat on the shoulder. "There, there Luthy. I was just introducing myself. No need to get testy."

Zamorra burst out in a fit of laughter. "Lu-Luthy?" She chuckled, covering her mouth.

Luther scowled, the hard lines on his face scrunched up in displeasure. "Don't. I've already got him calling me that, I don't need it catching on."

She smiled. "But I like it."

"Me too," Thaddeus agreed, nodding. He clapped his hands together, lightning fizzling from the tips of his fingers. "Now, where are my. . . ah, there they are." Red mist enveloped his entire body and he vanished, reappearing next to the dead shifters in the blink of an eye.

---