Fighting for her Mate: Shape Shifter Paranormal Romance (Sassy Mates Book 5) (6 page)

NINE

Ellie came back into the living room with Caleb close behind. After Jake and Nicole left to pack, the group took a bathroom break before getting back into the things at hand.

After seeing the coffee table covered in cookies, brownies and buttery crackers, Ellie turned to Caleb with a sad smile. “I wasn’t expecting Mom to take Jake’s leaving so hard.”

Caleb frowned. “How can you tell?”

Ellie knew this was a girl thing, so she let his manhood remain intact for such a stupid question. “All the snacks on the table are mom’s comfort foods. If she had time, she’d make spaghetti.”

Caleb was quiet, contemplating. “Is this something I need to know about you before we live together?”

Ellie smirked. “You bet your sweet ass you better know. And make sure to have a supply on hand. You may be dishing out the goodies to get out of the doghouse and back into my bed.”

Caleb pulled out his phone and typed, every so often glancing at the table. They made their way toward a living room chair. Mason sat next to them, waiting for Emma. Caleb leaned over and whispered, “Hey, man. I gotta thing you need to know to prevent blue balls. I need to make sure the other guys know this.”

“Shit, that’s important. What is it?” Mason asked.

“There’s this thing called comfort food. Apparently, when women are upset, if you give them sweets and spaghetti, they’ll be happy again.”

“Seriously? I can do that.” He pulled out his phone as Ellie’s father walked in and once again, took his place in the worn brown recliner.

Ellie rolled her eyes at the guys’ silliness and let out a long sigh. The two guys’ eyes met. Caleb mouthed, “What does that mean?”

Their dad reached for a cookie. “That, son-in-law, is how a woman says you’re an idiot, but she loves you anyway.”

Mason and Caleb typed furiously on their phones. Mason looked up. “What does it mean when they say
fine
. I’m always in trouble after that.”

Aric came in and his brows lowered. “What are you all talking about? This looks serious. Should I call the women from the kitchen?”

“No,” universally rang out.

“Sit down, man. This is important,” Caleb said.

Ellie laughed at her husband. He was so cute when serious. “I gotta hear this. Keep going, Dad. Tell them what
fine
means.”

Her father nodded and winked at her. “Right. It’s used to end an argument when she is right, and you need to shut up.”

“Oh, crap.” Aric whipped his phone out. “I need to remember that. What does it mean when they say
nothing
when you ask what’s wrong?”

“Ah, yes,” their dad nodded with a pensive look before he once again met Ellie’s gaze with a twinkle of humor in his gaze. “That’s a classic. It means something
is
wrong and you’d better figure it out fast. Here are some others: sometimes yes means no, no means yes, and maybe means no.”

Ellie bit her tongue to keep from bursting into giggles.

“You said
sometimes
,” Aric said. “How will we know?”

“You won’t.” Ellie’s father continued. “
Sure, go ahead
is a dare. Don’t do it.
I’ll be ready in a minute
means sit back and relax with the remote. And if she asks
are you listening to me
, then it’s too late. You might as well head for the doghouse with your blanket and pillow.” Ellie’s dad glanced at her. “How am I doing so far?”

She pressed her lips together to keep from choking on her laughter and raised her brows. “Not too bad. Some could get you slapped. But let me ask you guys what you mean on stuff.”

Caleb shrugged. “Sure, sweetheart, but men are usually pretty easy to understand. We say what we mean.”

Ellie crossed her arms over her chest. “Oh yeah? When you say you like my dress, that means
nice boobs
.” The men feigned gasps.

“We would never!” Nate exclaimed.

“Right,” Ellie said. “When I asked if you liked my haircut, and you said ‘I love it,’ that meant you hadn’t even noticed the change.”

“Hey,” Caleb spoke up, “I did love it.” Ellie raised her brows at him. “All right, I hadn’t noticed it
yet
. You just got home.”

Ellie snorted. “I had been home for hours. We even had supper.” Ellie’s mom and the other ladies came in, mugs in hand.

Her mom frowned. “What are you all talking about? The men look guilty. What did they do, Ellie?”

“We’re talking about what men mean when they say things like
nice dress
.”

Her mom handed a cup to her dad. “That means
nice boobs
.” Her dad looked incredulous. “Sorry, dear. I don’t mean you, of course.” She took her chair. “You ladies know what
let’s go out to eat
dinner
means, right? It translates to
you don’t have to cook or clean the kitchen so we can have sex. Twice
.” The men’s eyes widened and they suddenly found the carpet very interesting to look at.

Ellie’s dad cleared his throat. “All right, everyone. We still have a lot to talk about and make plans for.”

“Hey, Dad,” Mason said, “Emma has information from Aria she wants to tell us.”

“Perfect. The vampires are on the list to discuss. The issue I have is the vampires may or may not be in cahoots with Rahound. Emma, go ahead. The floor is yours.”

“Thank you, Tristan.” She made eye contact with each person as she spoke. “Aria attempted a raid on her club to find out who’s in charge of taking humans for their blood. When she got there, the club was packed, but everyone was normal clubbers. No human blood was found. Of course, she found Maria in the dungeon, but since she didn’t make a big scene, she doubts anyone knew about it at the time.

“She’s hoping that means the group has broken up since Anton and Chantal were killed, but she’s not sure if there are any other leaders. She’s waiting for her ‘big three’ to return from somewhere. She didn’t go into detail about them, so I don’t know where they are.”

Tristan set his mug on the table. “Does that mean she’s wanting to do another raid on the club? Wouldn’t the traffickers know she’s onto them and move the operation elsewhere?”

Emma frowned and leaned against Mason’s side. “I asked her the same question. Since the night we saved the two teen girls, she’s had trusted ears to the ground, listening to rumors and taking note of who’s doing the talking. I haven’t talked to her in a while, so I don’t know how that’s going.”

“What’s her deal?” Nate asked. “She suddenly moves into the spooky mansion on the hill after it’s been abandoned for umpteen years?”

Emma shrugged a shoulder. “There’s not a lot I know about her. Aria’s a daywalker, which is a vamp who can take the sun.” She nodded at the raised brows. “Trust me, I had a shit ton of question for her, too.

“Oh, and she’s not dead because she was born a vamp and not changed into one.” Emma grinned. “How freaking cool is that? I had no idea you could be born a vampire! She’s a direct descendant from the
original
vampire queen and has more power than made vamps. Her family built and owns the mansion. Why it was abandoned for so long and why she moved in, I don’t know.”

Mason whispered in her ear. She turned to the group. “I forgot the most important part. She doesn’t drink human blood from a human and those in her pack, wait…what did she call it?” She pursed her lips. “Coven. That’s the word. They have vowed the same. That’s why there’s a battle. There are some in her group kidnapping people to drain.”

Ellie met Aria. She liked the vampire and knew it was only a matter of time before she and the wolf, Trevan, ended up together.

“Is that why we’re involved in their fight? They’re taking wolves?” Aric asked.

Tristan stepped in. “Not only that. We have strong suspicions that Rocco is working with stray vamps by providing them victims, especially young female.”

Barbara spoke up. “I still don’t get why he would do that.”

Ellie jumped in with what she knew. “We think he’s exchanging victims for the vamps’ help in fighting on his side.”

“Oh shit.” Nate slapped a hand over his mouth. “Sorry, Mom, but Rocco having vamps on his side is some scary crap. It takes two of us for one of them.”

“Maybe three of us,” Mason tossed in. “I remember how easily the one slashed through Emma.” He wrapped his mate tighter and pulled her closer on his lap.

The sound of four car doors shutting snapped up everyone’s wide eyes. Ellie got that twisted feeling in her stomach again. Jordan was now the closest to the window, and following in Nicole’s footsteps, she peeked at the front of the home, behind the curtains. “Speak of the devil. It’s Aria, but I don’t recognize—oh, cool. One of the guys is dressed exactly like Dracula in Bram Stoker’s movie version. You’ve got to see him.”

Jordan looked back to the room and all the men were on their feet. The doorbell sounded. Ellie’s father hesitated, looking at the women. Emma went into action. “Good grief. I’ll get the door. Aria won’t hurt us.” Ellie wasn’t sure about the other three.

TEN

Emma hurried to the front door. Mason jumped from the chair he shared with Emma, which was normal for the couple. Emma blasted her way through those gathered in the alpha’s main house for a family meeting, and Mason brought up the rear to save hers. Emma opened the door, and she and Aria squealed then hugged each other. She’d missed the vampire. With Aria handling her coven, it wasn’t often Emma got to see her. The others in Aria’s group stared at her with eyes the size of quarters.

Aria suddenly released Emma and stood straight and proper, clearing her throat. “Emma, these are the ones I told you about. They’re among the oldest and strongest vampires around. They are also part of my coven.”

“Please, come in.” Emma stepped back to let the group enter the house.

Mason whispered as they passed by, “You know you just
invited
vampires into the house. Now they can come in any time they want.” She backhanded him in the chest then put a finger to her lips, shushing him.

“I’d offer you a drink,” Barbara started, “but I don’t think we have your choice of beverage on hand.”

Aria dipped her head slightly. “Thank you, Mrs. Wolfe. But you’re correct.”

Barbara put her hands on her hips and frowned. “Now, young lady, with everything we have been through together, I expect you to call me Barbara.” A smile graced her face, showing she was joking with the anger. “How could you think we’re not friends by now?” Aria smiled after seeing Ellie’s mother’s joke. Barbara gave the visitor a hug. “It’s good to see you again. We were getting worried something was wrong since we hadn’t heard from you in a while.”

“I apologize, Mrs…Barbara. I’ve been doing some house cleaning, waiting for these three to get back.” She looked around the room. “Hey, everyone. I’d like you to meet Julian,”—a thin, forty-ish looking man raised a hand in greeting. He was the average-looking Joe who could be anyone in the grocery store—“this is Penelope,”—a beautiful cocoa-skinned woman smiled. Emma closed Mason’s mouth for him before drool rolled out—“and this is Zane.”

She pointed to the guy in the back. “Please disregard his outfit. He’s obsessed with some guy named Bran Smoker.” The group broke into laughter, releasing the built-up tension.

The stranger was true to Jordan’s description. He wore a silver-gray top hat, coat, gloves, and pants. His hair lay in smooth waves to his shoulders. And the sunglasses perched on the end of his nose resembled John Lennon glasses: small circles that reflected a rainbow of colors like an oil slick.

Zane gave an indignant huff. “Aria, please. How many times…it’s Bram Stoker.” The man turned to Mason. “If I may be so bold, sir. The
cliché
you referred to—a vampire not entering a home unless invited in—is quite a falsity. I assure you Hollywood does not know the ins and outs of the vampire species. But other than that, I enjoyed the movie.”

Emma tugged on Mason’s shirt. “What movie?”

Mason grinned. “
Lost Boys
. Don’t worry about it. It was before your time. Mid-nineteen eighties.”

“I know the
Lost Boys
. Who in their right mind hasn’t heard of that movie? Those guys were so sexy.” She laughed then glanced at Zane again.

With all once again seated, Tristan turned to Aria, but Aric interrupted. “Dad, may I ask Aria a question first?” He gave a slight nod. Jordan looked at him with a questioning look. “Aria, Emma told us you’re a daywalker, so I understand how you can be here. I’m assuming the same is true for Julian, Penelope, and Zane?”

The normal-looking man lifted a finger. “Aria, if I may answer the young wolf’s question?” Aria slid back on the sofa and gestured for him to continue. The group’s eyes rested on the new visitor. “The answer is quite simple, my friend. After a certain age, the vampire body is no longer flesh as you know it, as long as the body never tastes human blood. Over time, the living cells in the skin transform into a leather-like texture that is not affected by the sun and very strong.”

“Wait,” Karla barged forward, “what’s different about human blood? What do you drink then?”

The male vampire sighed and lifted his nose. “Does anybody ever read anymore? I put all this in writing just for this reason.”

Penelope raised her brow at him. “Julian, that was over two thousand years ago. Nobody reads papyrus anymore. You have to put it in a thing called a book.”

“Yes, Penelope. Do not patronize me. I know what a book is. Has it really been that long? Seems like last year I scribed the ‘pyrus.”

“Um, excuse me?” Vampire eyes swung to Jordan. “Sir, I can maybe assist you with that. I’m writing a book on the mating ritual of wolves.”

A smile lit Julian’s face. “Ah, a child after my own heart.” A low grumble disturbed the air. Jordan kicked Aric’s shin, but the vampire reassured him. “No worries, wolf. As I was saying, we do not consume human blood from a human. Blood in the body carries a particular enzyme that allows cells to die, be carried off, and rejuvenate; the body is in constant refresh mode.

“This enzyme is quite fragile and the sun’s rays easily destroy it. I’ve seen humans who have spent much of their lives in the sun and their skin is wrinkled and leathery. But as for vampire lore, that is the reason vampires are restricted to the night. The sun literally destroys the skin.”

“Okay,” Emma started, “what you’re saying is human blood carries a cleaning crew. It takes away the old stuff and leaves new. And if you go a long-ass time without blood, the crew dies, leaving the old to solidify in place—the old being the tough skin. So what do you drink?”

Julian’s expression became hard. “Packaged human blood is safe. Outside the warm body, the enzyme dies quickly. Animal blood has its own enzyme which doesn’t affect human skin. Our resistant covering is almost indestructible. That is one reason why those who make it to this age survive even longer.

“This is one reason Aria has banned human blood. She’s doing a good thing for her kind. Yet they cannot control their urges, thusly stay weak. They deserve to die like the dogs they are.”

Aria quickly jumped in. “Thank you, Julian. These are our friends who aren’t concerned about your past. Let’s get to why we’re here.”

“Agreed,” Tristan said. “What brings you to our home?”

Aria glanced at Emma, then Tristan. “I’m not sure if you know, but the first raid I planned on at Embraced didn’t really happen. Rumors are flying about why my two treacherous vampires have disappeared. Fortunately, no rumor is even close to the truth. So I think our interference in the trade that night went mostly unnoticed.”

Emma’s face lit up. “Does that mean we stopped them?”

“No,” Aria exhaled a long breath. “Trevan and his guys were given information earlier today about a trade. Their part is the delivery to the club. That tells me now is the time to act.” Aria looked to the floor, then met Tristan’s eyes. “I’m here to ask you and your pack to fight with us against those who are feeding on humans.”

Shock from the question kept everyone speechless. Tristan sat back and steepled his fingers against his chin. “How dangerous will this fight be? Will I lose many members of my pack?”

“I’m hoping to present a strong enough front that they will simply surrender to me.”

Julian lifted his chin. “You know there is little chance of that happening, Aria.” Julian turned to Tristan. “Reality is we don’t know if any minions will stand by the leaders and fight. I venture a guess that most are fair-weather underlings: only around when things are running well. As soon as there is trouble, they’re gone.”

“Dad,” Aric started, “from what we’ve seen, when vampires have been involved in the attacks on Jordan and Ellie, they ran when help showed up. Julian’s guess is a good one.”

The vampire’s brow raised and he gave an upturned corner of his lips and a slight nod toward Aric.

“Tristan Alain Wolfe,” Barbara crossed her arms over her chest. “Don’t even pretend to think about this. Not only humans are being taken. One of our own was abducted. And you know as soon as they taste wolf blood, they will want more and more. Fortunately, Maria is young and her blood is not as potent as an adult’s.”

“As always, my love, you’re my perfect mate to balance my alpha tendencies.” To Aria, he said, “We’ll ask for volunteers who understand the risks.”

Aric glanced at his brothers. “You have three right here.” He winced when Jordan twisted on his lap. “I know you meant six, my gorgeous husband. If not, you might not make it to the raid alive.”

“Jordan, come on—”

“Don’t you
come on
me—” Her cheeks caught on fire when she realized what she’d said. It took Aric a second to put two and two together. When he did, he hooted like a were owl on the prowl.

Ellie looked over her shoulder at Caleb. “Don’t even think I’m not going.” He sighed and said nothing.

Nate grabbed Karla by the waist and turned her to him. “My sweetest love. I know how strong and capable you are when it comes to protecting those you love. So I ask on behalf of the cute, helpless, tiny babies in the other room that you stay with them. Plus, we don’t know if you can shift yet.”

Karla looked at him with loving eyes. “Of course, I’ll stay with the babies. No argument.”

Barbara smiled. “Well done, Nate. Was Aric watching you?”

A whiny “moooom” came from the oldest brother’s side of the room.

“Everyone settle down.” Tristan brought the group back to attention. “Aria, when are you planning for this raid?”

“Tonight.”