Inevitably Yours

MICHAEL

I was sitting at my desk going over some reports when Quinn knocked softly on the door. I looked up and couldn’t help but smile at the light of my life. She waved something in the air, then came toward me. Silently, she stepped around the desk, and I opened my arms for her. She sunk into my lap, handing me the envelope.

“What’s this?” I asked.Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

“It just came,” she said. I opened the envelope, and together we scanned the letter inside.

“B***d Eclipse?” I said. “Sounds a little macho and dramatic for a pack name.”

“I bet there is a story there,” Quinn offered. “I guess you aren’t surprised vampires are stirring?”

“Should I be?” I asked her sarcastically. She rolled her eyes at me; I pushed her glasses back up the bridge of her nose. “There’s been some rumors going around. A little unease and concern mostly. Another Alpha mentioned something about packs in the mountains going missing.” The vampires nearest to us stayed in their areas and didn’t concern themselves with wolves, but I knew that wasn’t the case everywhere.

“What do you think?” she asked. I reread the letter. It was a personal invitation to attend a Summit to discuss the threat to all our packs, not just this B***d Eclipse. The pack was located slightly west of us. Quinn and I had already had our share of battles, hard ones too.

Junior was graduating at the end of the school year, and we hoped to be coming to a close on our time as the pack’s leaders. Quinn was settled well into her career, and I was happy to be a silent owner of our business while I focused on the pack. It still worried me that the Fae King would send someone for Quinn or our children again, but we couldn’t truly live with one eye over our shoulders all the time. Instead, we kept to ourselves and Stary, Quinn letting me take on the diplomatic roles with other packs.

“Sounds like someone picked a fight they weren’t ready for,” I sighed, setting the letter down. I closed my arms around my mate’s curvy waist, burying my nose into her neck.

“I’m kind of intrigued,” she admitted.

“Is that so?” I asked her.

“I mean, it’s been a while since Eros got to shred some flesh,” she laughed. “We survived the Fae; how bad can some vampires be?”

I sobered a little at her words. We did survive, but only barely. Was taking her into another dangerous conflict the right thing to do?

“And you aren’t leaving me behind. This is fantastic material,” she said, leaning back so I had to look up at her. “I’ve never written about vampires.”

I shook my head. “It’s amazing that you have gotten away with it this long, you know? I still can’t believe humans really think this is all made up. You would think they would catch on eventually.”

“That’s why I mix up a few of the details. They’ll never figure it all out,” she smiled.

“Alright, we’ll go. But if this Liam Blackfur is a b***h, we aren’t staying to help. I’m not signing up for a fight with a losing team,” I told her.

–

“Someone has magic here,” Quinn linked me. We were escorted to meet the hosts, Liam and Azalea Blackfur. Quinn walked next to me while I held my arm around her waist. She was looking around at everything and everyone while I focused on the young kid in front of us.

“Can you tell where it’s coming from?” I asked her.

“Not yet,” she confirmed.

“You’ll be staying in our packhouse,” Maddox said. “Luna and my mate have made all the arrangements. You should be very comfortable.”

“Mmm,” I sounded. I wasn’t much in a speaking mood at the moment. He led us around the side of their sizeable packhouse, where we finally approached the hosts.

“Alpha Michael,” Liam said, holding out his hand to me. I gripped it and was pleasantly surprised at the firmness. “It’s a pleasure to have you and your mate with us.”

“It’s wonderful to meet you,” Azalea said, reaching her hand out to Q. Quinn’s eyes got big for a moment.

“Is that her?” I asked.

“Yea,” Quinn confirmed. “Thank you for hosting us. Goddess, your hair is absolutely gorgeous.”

“Oh, thank you!” Azalea said sweetly. “Your color shines so nicely!”

My spine stiffened. It was a gut reaction every time Quinn met new people. I wouldn’t tolerate judgment on her appearance. It didn’t matter how many times it happened; I was always going to protect her.

“That’s so kind of you. It’s very bothersome sometimes,” Quinn said.

“But it’s unique and beautiful. Truly,” Azalea smiled. “I hope you guys will enjoy your stay.”

I nodded to Liam and led Quinn past them. I looked down at her, waiting for her reaction. She looked up at me with a soft smile. “I think we made the right choice.”

–

“He’s telling the truth,” Quinn linked me as the Alpha and Beta were questioned on the stage. Everything had erupted so quickly at this Summit, much quicker than I expected.

“You are sure?” I asked her. She just nodded. We silently watched as another Luna was brought on stage to testify her story as well.

Quinn gripped my hand. “M, we need to help. I know we aren’t in danger in Stary right now, but this she-wolf is also telling the truth. I can’t imagine-”

“Don’t,” I cut her off. “You don’t need to imagine it.” An icy feeling slid down my spine thinking back to the Fae world. I wouldn’t let anything separate me from my mate.

“Then I say we help them,” she said firmly.

I looked down at my fierce, beautiful mate. “I’ll follow you endlessly.”

END.