Prophesy (The King & Alpha 1)

“Justice. You can’t keep going like this. You do realize that, right? It hasn’t even been twenty-four hours and already this is driving you insane,” Mac told him.

“Where’s Taleb?” Justice sighed.

“He went to Mystic.” Alek’s look was serious.

Justice groaned. “I didn’t give permission for anyone in my pack, especially my brother, to visit a Shaman.”

“When has Taleb ever waited for permission to seek out information? When has any of us ever waited for permission to help each other? We obviously don’t understand how the Vampire King’s been fated to be your mate, but there has to be a very big ass cosmic explanation. One that’s way beyond our scope of understanding. None of us know how you’re already semi-linked and able to communicate with him. But Just, you’re smart enough to know that with the vampire and shifter feud threatening our way of life, it has to be more than just a freak of nature that the Vampire fucking King is your true, destined mate. The King! Winchester Bentley’s first born son and successor. I mean, come on. The Mother didn’t exactly sell you short, bro. Why are you stalling?”

“Figures you’d think that, Mac. You’ve always failed to see the bigger picture. How will anyone follow me when I’ve mated with the enemy? Mated with a person who kills his own kind unapologetically. How could I allow a man like that – with that kind of power and ability – around my shifters? We have young pups to protect, Macauley. I have to be absolutely sure of the vampire’s intentions or I’d be endangering them, and that’s something I will never, ever, do as long as I have breath,” Justice argued, that incessant pounding starting in his head again.

“AZ! AZ, I have news.” The Humboldt pack Alpha, Mikel, didn’t wait for Justice or his brothers to invite him in.

Mikel already knew what was going on with Justice. “What is it, Mikel?”

“One of my pack members works at the Henderson Executive Airport and he called and reported that he saw the Vampire King’s escort boarding their jet. The flight plan was one-way to London City Airport. He didn’t—”

“Ugggh, Alek, help,” Justice cried out, crouching on the floor. No wonder he could hardly feel Wick. The thought that his mate was so far out of his reach drove his wolf into a psychotic frenzy. Justice’s back bowed and his fists balled up hard enough to dig his nails into his palms. His mate was gone and Justice had run him off, now his wolf would torture him until he made it right.

“He’s still here, Justice.” Alpha Mikel hurried to finish his report while Justice’s brother tried to calm him down. “Seven members of the escort were missing, including Chadwick Bentley and his captain. He didn’t leave… not yet.

“My pack is afraid, Alpha. Call to your mate and ease your wolf. There may be some shifters that won’t stand behind you immediately, but you have me and one hundred fifty-two of my pack members standing with you now. That’s a damn good start. We’ll go all the way with you AZ. All the way to the council if we have to. But my pack is in complete panic and uproar. Your shifters are telling you we need you, Justice. We need our Alpha Zenith. We need you to answer. Your. Mate.”

“I just want to go on record again and say—”

“You’ve said it twice already. You don’t agree with going on pack lands unannounced.” Wick cut his captain off. His annoyance was evident in his dry tone. “But you have no choice, so stop talking about it.”

“King Bentley, I want you to know that I’m honored to be trusted to stay here and support you with your Beloved. I will fight with you.”

Wick smirked at his long-time Escort Lord. He’d been with him from the time Wick was crowned King and had never left Wick’s side since. He was fierce and loyal, a soldier. It was ingrained in him long before he became an immortal to stand and fight. Ramon Vega had been a Lieutenant in the Cuban Revolution. Fighting right alongside Raul Castro in Oriente Province, Cuba. At only thirty-two he’d lain there at the base of the Cristal Mountain dying from a gunshot wound when a sire found him and changed him. Ramon was a vampire that believed in defending his kind. That’s why he was Wick’s Lord Protector.

“I appreciate your dedication, Ramon. I always have. But we are not going to fight. I chose the five of you to stand behind me with Captain Giuliani while I earn my Beloved’s trust. Under no circumstance are you to become hostile with any shifters, now or in the future.” Wick turned in the front passenger seat to look each of his officers in the eye. A distinct hiss was added as a warning. “Even if advanced on. Do not retaliate. Anyone who harms a shifter, I will see spends an eternity in a wooden box.”