Longnose
Longnose gripped the wheel, relief mixing with apprehension as the fog gave vague impressions of the city growing around them. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I shouldn’t be risking a couple of pups! But he didn’t try to turn the car around. His Alpha wouldn’t permit such cowardice when their pack was being threatened.
He could almost hear it growling inside him, demanding blood for the harm caused to Camille and the insult to their territory. A rougarou wasn’t something he wanted to tangle with, but he’d make an exception this time. There was too much going on for Longnose to keep his distance. If the vampires want a war, then…
But did they? He looked at Bruno, but the other man was focused on his window, never showing the slightest sign that he was aware of anything else. It was a habit Longnose admired about his newest packmate. Bruno’s reputation was mostly mired in rumors, but Longnose was glad to have him on his side.
I’m surprised Jean-Claude was able to keep him. Bruno must have felt that Robert’s actions deserved punishment, but why didn’t he try harder during that fight? It was a question the Alpha had pondered often since he and his pack crossed a lone Bruno several days after the fight. No one was surprised to see the burly wolf managing just fine by himself.
Longnose always insisted on training everyone to survive in the forests and swamps in case they got separated from the pack. But Bruno took it to a completely different level. He could see it in his eyes. Bruno was enormous, even in human form, but the man hadn’t acted like a crazed beast during their final showdown with Jean-Claude.
He’d targeted those who were about to overwhelm several of his former packmates and protected Jean-Claude from getting ambushed by Antione and Daymond. But besides tossing a wolf away like they weighed nothing and having the perfect chance to slay two of Robert’s sons, Bruno didn’t.
Longnose still didn’t know why. Bruno refused to speak of it. But when they found him casually cleaning several fish he’d caught. And not looking the slightest bit intimidated to be surrounded by the pack he’d helped attack a week ago. Longnose couldn’t resist. “Well met, my friend. Are you interested in joining my pack?”
Crescent and Luna had looked at him like he was crazy, but Longnose didn’t care. He already knew he was crazy, but he was the smart kind. And the look on everyone’s faces when Bruno nodded only proved him right. Bruno was constantly proving him right. That’s why he insisted on bringing the other wolf with them.
He’ll keep the boys safe in case anything goes wrong—he hopes it won’t. Longnose will do everything in his power to save Robert’s children and the man himself.
Not because they’re fellow werewolves, though that did help. Longnose sighed and smiled immediately when Bruno looked at him. “Alpha?”
“Everything is fine, my friend. Just fine.”
Bruno raised an eyebrow and looked away. “If you say so, sir.”
Bruno
How do I get myself into these situations? Bruno lived for traveling, no matter where. Every road offered a new adventure, every path led to somewhere, and if he encountered a pack along the way, he learned very quickly what he had to do to survive. It was the way he grew up.
When Bruno met Robert, he hadn’t been impressed. As an Alpha, Robert was average. He wasn’t as controlling as Jean-Claude, but he relied on his status too much to be an effective leader. He still had trouble understanding what was going through Robert’s head during his last days with the pack.
Why did he say that? He wasn’t mated. No one could have proven what he’d done, not then anyway. Yet the fool had to open his mouth and practically gave Jean-Claude what he wanted. And now he’s in trouble again! It was the most confusing month of Bruno’s life. He’d gone along with Jean-Claude because it had been the right thing to do.
He didn’t regret it. But after seeing all four of Robert’s children with purple eyes… He shook his head and looked at the boys using the window’s reflection. Neither pup was aware enough to notice, which was another mark against Robert. He hasn’t tried to reestablish himself as an Alpha or taught his pups anything. Was it just luck that they’ve survived this long? Would I have killed them if I was there when they-
And that was another thought Bruno refused to finish. The boys were not his problem. He’d follow orders and keep them safe since Longnose relied on him. But he knew he wouldn’t grieve if Robert was killed. The Alpha lost his pack’s trust. There was no coming back from that.
But the lack of effort made his inner wolf growl. No, Bruno wouldn’t grieve another foolish Alpha’s death. The world was full of them. But he doubted it would be the same if Longnose or one of Robert’s pups perished in the upcoming conflict. And there would be one. Bruno respected his latest Alpha’s judgment.
He couldn’t find any fault in Longnose’s plan, but the unease slowly filling the car had him on edge. It’s a good thing the pups are still new to this. I don’t think they can handle much more right now.
Robert
Is this supposed to be an honor, or is he treating me like a pet? Robert didn’t know what to think anymore. Dracula didn’t harm him. But he also barely acknowledged his presence. It was almost like the vampire considered him to be another servant. Invisible until called for. But the oddities didn’t stop there as he followed the count towards a red door with a picture of a barely-clad, cartoon teenage girl wearing futuristic armor.
He didn’t know much about cartoons, but Robert would bet money that one of his kids did. Dracula didn’t knock. He didn’t even touch the door, yet it opened, revealing a room that looked like any teenager’s. The walls were covered with posters of bands, cars, and more cartoon people.
A thick black carpet covered the floor, while a T.V. the size of an oven dominated the far wall, with a game station hooked up to it. But the oddest thing was that there was no bed, only a white leather couch across from the T.V. Robert searched for the owner without turning his head, but Dracula calmly called, “Get off the ceiling, Clay. You’re getting it dirty.”
“Yes, Father.” Robert blinked, and a boy appearing to be Antione’s age now stood between Dracula and the couch. He didn’t look at Robert, and Dracula acted like he wasn’t there.
The count embraced the boy and sighed. “Clay… you didn’t have to push yourself this much. What would your mother think if she found out how close you came to death?”
“It wasn’t close!” The boy denied, staring at Dracula with pleading eyes. “I had everything under control!”
Dracula wasn’t amused. “You call being bitten in half, swallowed, and rescued by mutts “under control?”
Robert rolled his eyes. “Can you please come up with a better insult? I would think you’d have plenty of time, what with the immortality thing.”
Clay glared at him, but Dracula acted like he hadn’t heard. “You need to train more. You’ll only get one chance at this, Clay. It’s important that you do well here.”
Robert grinned, letting his eyes glow as the boy quickly shifted his attention back to the count. That’s right, kiddo. Look away and hide behind Daddy. For a second, Robert felt his heart throb. The boy wasn’t a threat. He was simply acting tough. Antione was the same and still does it. But he couldn’t ignore the connection between him and the count.
Dracula lightly patted Clay’s shoulder. “Did you hear me, son?”
Clay nodded. “I heard you, but I wasn’t lying. I really did kill some giant alligators. And they talked, too.”
“Then, you won’t have a problem killing something else and bringing its corpse back, will you?”
The boy looked away, shoulders slumping under the count’s empty tone. “No, sir. I’ll bring you a hundred bodies if that’s what it takes.”
Dracula chuckled. “You don’t need to kill that much. You should always choose the best prey and make it your own. You’re going to be fine, Clay. I know you won’t let me down.”
Clay nodded eagerly, once again looking at his father… and accidentally noticing Robert as he crossed the room and looked around. “Nice couch. Wish you people would remember beds exist for a reason. How are you going to relax in a room like this?”
“That doesn’t concern you, Robert,” Dracula said, briefly looking at him before patting his son’s head. “Nothing concerns you at the moment.”
“True. Except that you’re trying to use me to kill my son.”
Clay gasped, but neither man paid him any attention. Dracula shook his head. “You forget yourself. I’m not using you for anything. You said you’d take responsibility–”
“To stop you from going after Antione–” Robert began, but Dracula spoke over him.
“And this is how you shall do it. If your… if he chooses to take responsibility in your stead, then so be it.”
Robert growled, stepping closer until Dracula finally turned to look at him. There was no power in the vampire’s gaze, but Robert felt the threat all the same. It doesn’t matter that he set a deadline. Dracula will kill me if he thinks I’m about to transform. But is it enough to save Antione?
He didn’t think so. Dracula didn’t care if Robert lived or died. That much was clear. Yet the count was willing to ensure Robert’s survival while the days passed. It wasn’t like anything Robert had experienced before, and he hated it. But as long as this guarantees Antoine’s safety… Robert raised his hands and grinned.
“For someone who claims to be superior. You’re certainly not acting like it. Why waste time playing games when the killer is still out there?”
Where my pups are. Dracula shook his head and looked at Clay. “We’ll talk later. Make sure you feed before heading out. I don’t want to hear you skipped a meal over pride. Do you understand?”
Clay looked at the floor and nodded. “Yes, Father.”
Dracula smiled, though it didn’t reach his eyes as he gestured to Robert to follow him. “Very good, son. We’ll talk more later.”
Robert started to head for the door but stopped as Clay muttered. “Is your name Robert Pack?”
He raised an eyebrow, noting Dracula was staring at them both before nodding. “That’s right. Have you heard of me?”
The boy shook his head but refused to meet either man’s gaze. It made Robert’s hackles rise. If he was a wolf, I’d-
Dracula’s hand closed over Robert’s shoulder as he glared at his prisoner. “That’s enough. You forget yourself, dog. My son doesn’t answer to you. Now leave him be.”
Robert opened his mouth but experienced a brief bout of vertigo as Dracula simply used the hand on his shoulder to lift him into the air and carry the werewolf from the room like a rag doll. The door closed behind them with the finality of a vault door slamming shut, yet Robert couldn’t detect any sign of it locking as Dracula abruptly released him. This made the Alpha stumble, forcing him to brace himself against the wall to avoid falling.
His inner wolf growled. He met the count’s eyes and spat. “Don’t do that again.”
The vampire’s face was impassive. “Stop forgetting your place. There are plans at play here, Robert. Plans I won’t see ruined because of your stupidity.”
Rage filled him. Nothing would make his inner wolf happier than to tear the count apart with his bare hands… But then he felt his eyes widen in realization. “You know who it is?!”