“You’re not going to even come and embrace your uncle in greeting? What have these Scots been teaching you?” He winked, his tone light. “It’s been years since I’ve seen you.”
I looked behind me at the door, hoping Luca stayed asleep long enough that I could convince Adryan that I was fine, that the reason he was here didn’t have to be executed.
“I'm sorry. That was rude of me,” I whispered and took a step closer.
I just hoped I could pull it off, because if Adryan was here, that meant his mind was already made up and that he was ready for war.
There’d been enough violence concerning this situation that would last everyone a lifetime.
30
Luca
As soon as I woke up, I knew something was wrong. Not only did I sense Ainslee not beside me, but I felt as if she was no longer in the estate.
My heart pounded as I sat up and was out of bed, mindful of grabbing my jeans and slinging them on quickly. All I could focus on was finding my mate. And that sensation prickling the back of my neck and shooting down my arms, the one causing my wolf to pace within me, told me there was danger nearby.
“Ainslee!” I roared her name, sweat breaking out over my body as I searched the house. My wolf was going insane inside me, wanting to burst forth and handle the situation… whatever the fuck the situation was.
And then I heard conversation, a deep male voice, the sound of a chuckle. My canines exploded downward, growing in territorial jealousy. I tipped my head back and inhaled, but everything was closed, and the only scent that came through was the fire we had in the hearth earlier this evening.
I raced toward the back door, tore the bastard nearly from its hinges, and instantly caught the scent of a vampire.
I curled my lips back from my teeth and growled low at the same time I swung my head to the left and saw the threat. I couldn’t think rationally, too animalistic right now to even see anything but a red rage.
The vampire fucker held my mate, his big body dwarfing hers, his arms around her tiny waist. He slowly lifted his head, his hair dark and short, his eyes flashing red as his vampiric side rose up. And then the motherfucker grinned, flashing the biggest set of fangs I’d ever seen.
“Well now, looks like it’s a two-for-one deal tonight. I get to see my precious Ainslee after so long, and I get to meet her mate.” His expression turned deadly. “The one who took her from her family and declared war.”
I was trying to control myself, but my beast was pushing harder to be released, to tear the vampire’s throat out with my teeth and bathe in his blood. I’d deliver his heart at Ainslee’s feet as an offering.
Ainslee gasped and turned around, looking over her shoulder at me, her eyes wide and frightened.
“Come here, sweetling.” My voice was rough, distorted, and I held my hand out, my nails now claws with the power from my wolf.
She went to turn and come to me, a tear tracking down her cheek, but the vampire holding her shifted her in his arms and tightened them around her so her back was now pressed to his chest and one thickly muscled forearm was across her upper chest.
I inhaled again, scented a bond through blood between my Ainslee and this vampire. So they were related, which helped my jealously, but it didn’t stop the possessive need to rip his fucking arms from their sockets because he dared touch what was mine and kept her from me.
“Luca, it’s probably better if you go inside and let me deal with my Uncle Adryan.”
The fuck I would. No way I’d leave her out here with the bastard.
I kept my expression stoic as I stared at the male. “Let my mate go,” I growled, rage seething, my human side barely in control. I felt my form and visage flickering as my wolf tried to gain control.
The vampire holding the most precious thing in my life started laughing. “You’re a protective bastard, aren’t you?” His grin never left his face. “I admire that, especially when it has to do with my kin, but you broke rules, wolf, and I’ve come to deal with it.”
“Let her go then and face me like a male of worth. You’re hiding behind a female, using her slight form as a shield.” I was baiting him, and I could see his composure wavering as his anger rose.
“I’d never use my blood in such a way. She’s family, and I’d die for her.”
It was my turn to grin. “Then let her go and prove it.” Just then, I sensed two others, and a second later, they emerged from the darkened woods, their big bodies cloaked in shadows but becoming clearer the closer they came. I didn’t dare take my eyes off the male but could make out their forms in my peripheral.