Warrior (Relentless #4)(36)
On Tuesday, Maxwell called and asked to meet at a small pub in Portland owned by one of his pack members. I met him there alone since Chris was in New Hastings, and I received more than one glare when I walked up to the bar and ordered a beer.
Maxwell arrived as the bartender was pouring my beer. He ordered one for himself and we sat at a booth in the back.
“My wolves don’t like having your people in our territory, and frankly neither do I,” he said. “But we’re all hunters here, and we have the same enemy. So we need to learn to work together to deal with this situation.”
I took a drink of my beer. “I agree. What do you propose?”
Surprise showed in his eyes. “I’m going to send six wolves to Portland every night. You tell me where you’ll be working, and I’ll focus on another part of the city. We’ll cover more ground that way and stay out of each other’s hair.”
“Sounds good.” I sat back in my chair. “I believe the vampire named Eli is behind this. He’s dangerous and slippery, and I need to know if one of your wolves takes him down.”
Maxwell nodded gravely. “I’ll have them take pictures of their kills, although I can’t guarantee there will be much left to identify.”
We talked for another hour about how we could work together to avoid future problems between our people. Maxwell was overly protective of his territory, as any good Alpha would be, but he was rational and smart enough to acknowledge the Mohiri were a strong ally against the threat to this city. I respected that in a leader.
That night, there was a second vampire attack near the university, but it was thwarted by two werewolves who killed the vampire. True to his word, Maxwell had his wolves send us a photo of the dead vampire. There was just enough left of his face to know he wasn’t Eli.
That same night, Erik and I took out three young vampires we had cornered behind a night club. They couldn’t have been more than a few weeks old. When they said they didn’t know who Eli was, they were almost too terrified to speak, let alone lie to us.
We were killing vampires, but there was no sign of Eli, and it frustrated the hell out of me. My instincts told me the bastard was still here and he was up to something. I’d seen vampires obsess over a prey before, but why would he risk his life by staying around here with so many hunters in the city? I wouldn’t be happy until I put a blade through his demon heart.
I was in a black mood when I finally left Portland late Wednesday afternoon to ride to New Hastings. I didn’t realize how worked up I was until I got closer to the small town and the tension began to leave my body. It still stunned me how strong the bond had grown in just a few weeks, and how I could miss someone after only three days apart.
It troubled me as well. As a warrior I didn’t have many weaknesses, but Sara made me vulnerable in ways I’d never thought possible. My feelings for her and my need to keep her safe were things an enemy could exploit. Chris had been right the other night when he said I needed to think like a warrior and not like a mate when it came to protecting her. Emotions in battle made you sloppy and distracted, and that could get you killed.
I thought my imagination was playing tricks on me when I sensed Sara on the outskirts of town. Then I rounded a bend in the road and saw a lone figure riding a bicycle past the city limit sign. What the hell was she doing out here alone, especially after the attack a few nights ago? Where was Chris? And the werewolves who had sworn to watch over her?
I let off the gas and kept pace behind her for the three miles to her building on the waterfront. She knew I was there, but she didn’t look behind her once, and she didn’t change her speed. I wasn’t sure if that was because she trusted me or because she believed she was safe in broad daylight.
I saw her shoulders tense when we reached the waterfront, and I knew she was going to try to slip inside before I could confront her. Keeping her in sight, I rode ahead and parked my bike in front of her building. I was standing by the corner, trying to rein in my anger when she rode up. Seeing her soothed my Mori and me, but that didn’t diminish my fear at her disregard for her own safety.
I didn’t give her a chance to speak as I moved toward her. “Did you not learn anything the other night? Are you trying to get yourself killed?”
“Of course not,” she retorted, though fear flashed in her eyes as she dismounted and walked her bike toward the building.
“No?” I hated my hard tone, but I was too wound up after the last few days to soften it. “Do you want to tell me where you had to sneak off to that was so important?”
“No.” She shifted from one foot to the other. She was hiding something.
“There is nothing but woods for miles south of town. What were you doing out there?” And where the hell was Chris? How could he let her go off on her own like that?
Her brows drew together. “How did you find me anyway? Did you put one of those trackers on my bike, too?”
“No, but maybe I should.”
Her eyes darkened with indignation. “No, you should not! I’m not helpless, you know, and I don’t need you guys following me around twenty-four seven. I took care of myself pretty well before you came along.”
A part of me understood her anger and frustration. I wouldn’t be happy if someone entered my life and tried to restrict my freedom in any way. A larger part of me was infuriated that she refused to see reason, and my words came out mocking. “Yes, I can see how well you do on your own. I’m amazed you lived this long.”