Midnight Moonrising (Moonrising #2)(106)
"Ace isn't that bad. He's the best at what he does, and he knows about you. He thinks it's a good idea to become allies with your kind."
"You're right about one thing; he is the best at what he does: stirring up trouble. He's too arrogant for Mena."
"Maybe she can calm him down a little," Roel suggested.
Phoenix frowned. "I've heard he calls himself the King of the Jungle."
"He sorta is—I mean, that's what lions are, right? He's been that pride's Alpha for over sixty years, Phoenix. Everyone loves him. Nobody has even tried to challenge him."
"Because he lets them do whatever the hell they want to. He's too wild. He acts like a spoiled teenager, Roel. My answer is no. We still have fourteen days. If we're looking outside of werewolf alphas now, we'll contact—"
"I have already contacted all of them. There are only twenty-eight shifter groups in the U.S. that aren't lycan. Ace was the only one who agreed to even come meet her." Roel looked down at the floor as he continued. "And we don't exactly have fourteen days. We only have twelve."
"The full moon is in fourteen days, Roel. Tonight marks the new moon."
He didn't look up. "I know. The Alpha of Knoxville, Tennessee will be here in twelve. He's not coming here to make friends."
It took everything in him not to put the wolf on his ass as he stood and walked toward him. "When were you going to tell us about this, after he got here?"
"I knew we would find someone, and I did! Justice said to call him back after Mena bonded with another Alpha and he wouldn't come. Ace said he'd be here by the first quarter moon. This is our only shot at saving us, Phoenix! Don't be a dick or I will make this decision alone!"
"Are you even sure she can bond with another Alpha that is not lycanthrope?"
"It has nothing to do with our DNA as a shifter. The Alpha is the only one strong enough to do it."
Phoenix sighed, defeated. "Fine. Call the lions in. But I'm not responsible for anything that happens after he gets here."
"I'll be sure and let Mena know that after Ace has saved our lives."
Phoenix glared at him. "Go home, Roel."
Roel flipped him a middle finger, and then turned and left the way he'd come.
THE FIRST QUARTER MOON
Chapter 53
PHOENIX
Phoenix stood beside his car, his hands in his pockets, with a sour, brooding expression on his face as he watched the private jet land.
Roel, Brad and Heath waited a little closer, on the other side of the fence. They thought it best to meet Ace and half a dozen of his pride before someone who had always been an enemy of the shifters was introduced.
That was fine by him. He still couldn't believe he'd agreed to this preposterous plan in the first place.
After the plane came to a full stop, the door opened and the airstair was released so the passengers could exit.
Phoenix shook his head when the first three guys issued through the plane's door and walked down the steps, knowing none of them were the lions' leader. They were big, but none of them fit the description of Ace he'd been given over two decades ago.
The next person was a woman, taller than average for a female, dressed in a stylish cream-colored suit. She had red hair and looked to be in her late thirties, though that last bit of information was irrelevant, since shifters, like vampires, were immortal and didn't age after their transformation.
Two other men, both with long hair secured at the nape of their necks and looking like they'd just come from a bodybuilder competition and tied for first place, emerged next and descended the steps.
Phoenix's posture straightened and he actually had to mentally talk himself down from standing on his toes when the next guy ducked his head so he could fit through the plane's overhead without busting his skull. Sandy blond hair, amber eyes, masculine build and tattoos covering the majority of the flesh Phoenix could see. This guy, however, did fit the description of Ace Keller. A dog walked up beside him and sat on his haunches at the top of the stairs. Phoenix's brow drew down in confusion. It was a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Weren't they known for hunting lions?
Phoenix watched as Ace seemed to glide down the airstair with the dog right beside him, confident swagger in place. It was actually impressive, the cat-like grace with which the man moved, each step purposeful and lithe. He was a big guy, taller than Phoenix, and moved like he owned the f*cking airport.
Those amber eyes danced with amusement as Ace made eye contact with him and flashed a set of perfect white teeth.
Phoenix hated him. Loathed his existence. Jealousy had never been a huge issue with him—hell, Rhodes hadn't even bothered him very much, but for some strange reason, this guy caused his blood to run hot… and fast.
Roel, Brad and Heath met their guests halfway, their hands extended in a welcome and friendly greeting. Phoenix sniffed then wrinkled his nose as the new shifter blood hit his senses at full force.
"This is wrong," he muttered to himself when Roel pointed at him, and then waved him over. All ten shifters' eyes were on him, and that was when he realized he'd come without backup of his own. Jaxon had been avoiding him of late, but he could have brought one or twenty of the other ninety-four—soon to be ninety-three, when April's body finally stopped fighting the lycanthrope venom and her spirit moved on to wherever vampires went when they perished.