Home > Blue Blooded (Jessica McClain #6)(11)

Blue Blooded (Jessica McClain #6)(11)
Author: Amanda Carlson

I walked forward, extending my hand. “It’s nice to see you again, Julian. Thank you for meeting us here. Sorry if this put you out because it was so last minute. And, yes, you are correct. We are here to track down a few of our friends who are missing. That’s our top priority.” I left out the Enid hunting us part. I didn’t know how much my father had shared with the European Alpha, but it was best to be strategic and keep as much information as we could to ourselves, releasing it only if we were forced to.

Julian’s gaze flicked past me, landing on Rourke, who stood behind me.

The two Alphas held eye contact, and I felt Rourke tense.

If he wants a fight, he’s got one. Rourke’s words filtered through my brain.

I was about to answer my mate when Julian broke contact first, pretending to hear something over his shoulder. That was big in the Alpha world. Breaking eye contact first was akin to giving up.

In order to allow him to save face, and to keep the peace, I said, “Julian, thank you for being such a gracious host. We’ve clearly invaded your turf uninvited. We are happy to defer to your lead while we’re here.”

No, we won’t, Rourke growled in my mind.

Be nice, I warned. We’re here to retrieve Tally, and find Danny, Naomi, and Jax. We’re not here to war with the Mediterranean Pack. Plus, he just dropped eye contact. That was a willing submission.

He’s dangerous, Rourke said. I can smell it. We can’t trust him.

Luckily for us, Julian’s attention was diverted as Eudoxia made her grand exit, striding down the short set of steps like she owned Florence and everyone in it. “I forget how much Europe smells like the backwoods,” she sniffed. “It’s not pleasing at all.”

Julian brushed by me. “Ah, Vampire Queen, I am delighted you have graced us with your presence. It’s been far too long between visits. You look ravishing, as usual.” He swept her hand up to his mouth, kissing the back of it reverently, his head bowed.

I had no idea if it was an act, or just how people did things in Europe, even if they were from opposing supernatural Sects. I desperately hoped it was a show for our eyes only and that when he’d mentioned the word ravishing, he’d meant good enough to eat—as in ripped apart by a wolf.

Wolves and vampires notoriously did not get along. I was curious what their background together was, because it was apparent Julian and Eudoxia had a past.

For once, I was glad Eudoxia had monopolized the situation.

It had diffused the incident with Rourke.

Julian turned back to the group, Eudoxia’s small hand tucked under his elbow. “We have a few cars waiting.” He gestured toward two SUVs parked at the edge of the field. “If you will follow me, we will be on our way.”

Ray met my gaze. I nodded. He stepped back from the group.

He would follow us by air and make sure Julian delivered us to our destination as planned. Rourke was right that we didn’t know Julian, or what his agenda was. We had to stay vigilant.

As we made our way to the waiting cars, I said to my mate, We don’t have to trust him to take advantage of his resources. He and my father have always been on good terms, but they run their Packs differently. It’s been a lot of years since they’ve seen each other in person.

They ran them very differently.

Over the years, stories had trickled in about torture and forced submission. The Mediterranean Pack had the highest number of defectors, contributing to a rampant Stray problem. A wolf had to be part of a Pack. It wasn’t okay to be a lone wolf. It led to issues, and eventually mania, as wolves were meant to be social animals, not loners.

If he tries anything, it’ll be the last breath he takes, Rourke replied.

What exactly do you think he’s going to do? I asked. My father’s on his way. I can’t believe Julian would be stupid enough to jeopardize his life by crossing us. He already brought up Redman. He’s well aware of what happened. In a wolf-to-wolf Alpha challenge, my father had Julian, and they both knew it. That’s why they didn’t come in contact very often. It was risky. If Julian’s wolves felt that my father was the superior Alpha, it could cause more chaos than it was worth.

I have no idea what he’ll do, Rourke said as he opened the door, ushering me inside. But my guess is he’ll do whatever serves his own needs. And if that means selling you to the highest bidder, he wouldn’t blink twice. Plus, he has to feel your power. It’s off the charts. A guy like that will be threatened by it.

You may be right, I said. But I’d like to believe that wolves have some loyalty to each other. We are a common race, after all.

Well, he’s no cat. I owe him no loyalty.

Nick climbed in after Rourke. Tyler and Kayla were already in the backseat. Marcy, James, and Eudoxia had entered the other SUV. Julian walked up to our door, and Nick rolled down the window. “The Compound is only a short distance from here,” he told us. “You will be safe there, and we can talk more. I will ride with the others.”

I nodded as Nick brought the window up. I was a little puzzled as to why he thought I was in danger. I’d mentioned nothing of the sort, but I let it go. My father might’ve said something to him when they talked.

As the SUVs pulled out, my wolf sent power out ahead of us to see if anything was amiss, which had become second nature to us both.

After a mile on the road, it pinged back with something strange.

“Stop the car,” I ordered the driver, one of Julian’s wolves we hadn’t been introduced to. He glanced in the rearview mirror, a questioning look on his face.

   
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