Cole's Redemption (Alpha Pack #5)(41)

“I’m told there was a young man of nineteen who survived by crawling under the porch steps to hide after he was attacked. The Feds suspect he saw everything because he’s in shock. Hasn’t spoken a word since. As if there isn’t enough bad news, the boy was turned vampire.”

He let the team’s exclamations over that die down before he went on.

“So, we’re going there to see what, if anything, we can find at the scene. Then we’re taking the young man to the coven of Prince Tarron Romanoff, where we’re scheduled to have a meeting with him and his top soldiers about the rogues and how to stop them. Any questions?”

“When do we leave?” Jax asked.

He looked at his watch. “One hour. We’ll take the Hueys since I’m told there’s a place to land near the house. I’d like to wrap up at the murder scene and be en route to the prince’s stronghold in the Smoky Mountains by early this afternoon.”

“Will we be able to land the copters at the stronghold?” Aric asked. He was one of the pilots and needed to know.

“No, it’s too rocky. We’ll put down a few miles out, and then the prince will have an escort drive us the rest of the way. Any more questions?”

Nobody voiced any, so Nick let them go to take care of any last-minute business. No doubt a few of them would use that hour to spend with their mates, then return rumpled and happy.

What he wouldn’t give to have someone to fill that void in his soul. To care whether he came home or not.

But then again, fate had blessed him with Tonia, and he’d killed her. He’d blown his one chance at happiness. The image of the mystery woman from his vision flitted through his head. But there was nothing solid to grasp on to there. He would have to focus on what he did have.

It was the only way to get through tomorrow. And all the days after.

“Oh my God! Isn’t Kai cute?” Kira gushed, holding up her cell phone. Immediately, cell phones were whipped out and more oohs and ahhs followed.

Selene was sitting with Kira at breakfast in the dining room, where she’d been since Zan dropped her off on his way to the team meeting. Something was up, and she was afraid it meant he’d be sent into danger. She had to deal with that reality sooner or later, but she’d rather it be later.

Thankfully, fawning over pictures of the new baby had everyone suitably distracted. At least until her mate and several others came in to find their women. She knew her fears were confirmed when Zan and Jax headed straight toward them, expressions grim.

“What’s wrong?” Kira asked, putting down her cell phone. Her mate gave her a kiss.

“We have to leave in an hour. There’s been another rogue attack, this one outside Branson, Missouri.”

Zan sighed, then bent to give Selene a hug. “They slaughtered an entire family at a reunion, and there was only one survivor. A nineteen-year-old boy, and he was turned vampire during the attack.”

“That’s awful,” Kira said, shuddering.

Zan sat beside his mate, but made no move to grab breakfast. “More than awful. This is getting really bad. Nick has set up a meeting with Romanoff, the vampire prince of North America, so we’ll head there as soon as we’re done at the crime scene.”

“What will become of the boy?” Selene asked in concern.

Zan answered. “We’re taking him to the prince. He’ll help the kid adjust to his new life, with any luck.”

“That’s something, at least,” Selene said.

Zan looked at his mate, a small smile curving his lips. “On a lighter note, we have an hour before we leave. I’m thinking it would be a terrible thing to send your mate off all stressed and everything.”

“Same here.” Jax gave Kira a brilliant smile. “Got stress. Lots and lots of stress.”

“Good grief.” She rolled her eyes, but stood and took his hand. “Come on, big guy. Let’s go do something about your blood pressure.”

The couple headed out together, and Zan gave her a cute pout. “What about me?”

“I think I can help you out there, mate,” she murmured, leaning in to kiss his sexy lips.

“Did I mention that you’re the best mate in the world?”

“Glad you think so, since I’m the only one you’re getting.”

“You’re the only one I want or need.”

The heavy-lidded desire in his eyes was her undoing. One important thing she’d discovered was that besides him being a good man, he was a skilled lover. He never failed to fulfill her every pleasure. She couldn’t wait to make love with him again.

He pulled her to her feet. “I believe we have a date, baby.”

When they returned to their apartment, Zan paused only long enough to close and lock the door, then hurried through the living room, pulling her along behind him.

In his bedroom, he urged her gently onto his king-sized bed, then straightened. Quickly, he took off his shirt and slid off his jeans, kicking them aside. Selene drank in the sight of his naked body like a flower dying of thirst. Clothed, he was the sexiest man she’d ever seen. Wearing nothing except a grin, the man was perfection.

She studied the soft brown eyes set in his handsome, angular face. Thick hair the color of the night sky framing his wonderful face, brushing his neck. She let her gaze drift leisurely to his broad shoulders and strong arms and the wolf tattoo on his chest.