Slowly, Ethan and his team arrived at the training facility. Never had he been so glad to see those harsh white floodlights illuminating the entrance to the tunnel.
But emerging out of the trees, the scene awaiting him had his heart leaping out of his chest instead of flooding him with relief.
Jan stood in the center of the car park, eyes flashing blood-red and fangs fully extended. A promise of immediate death to any who approached him.
A snarling mass of fully-turned Lycans surrounded him, most concentrated in front of him, blocking his path into the facility. But a wide swath of clear ground separated the two parties. The Gray Oak beta stood in the middle with his arms extended out to both sides.
"Wolves, stand down! Do not engage," he commanded.
A gentle breeze slithered through the forest, rustling the dry leaves. The eery noise added to the hostile ambiance around the two parties.
The growls heightened, and the wolves shuffled and skittered behind their beta, angling for a better spot to pounce on the intruder.
The vampire shifted his weight, and Eric's head turned towards him.
"Jan-"
"Where is he?" Ethan's mate demanded, his voice hissing around his extended teeth.
"He's on his way, Jan. You need to calm down. It's a training hunt, and accidents happen. You can't just barge in here because of that."
Ethan, fearing a repeat of the tragedy at Snow Pine, gave a short bark. Jan's head whipped in his direction. Then before Eric could speak, the vampire leaped over him and the closest wolves into a tree to the side. He landed on the ground with two more bounds before the first leaves, shaken loose, touched the floor.
The astonishing display of speed by the vampire and the subsequent knee-jerk reaction of the pack surrounding him made it seem like time had slowed for the wolves.
Ethan was still glancing at the second spot when Jan appeared by his side. Surprised, he flinched, followed by a wince when he unintentionally put his weight on his injured leg.
His mate went down on one knee to examine his blood-spattered fur.
Under the full moon, Ethan's senses were in overdrive. The pinewood scent washed over him. It reminded him of hearth and home, soothing his frayed nerves and racing heart. And he inched forward, seeking its warm source.
While his mate peered over his shoulder and ran his hands down his fur, searching for injuries, Ethan's warm tongue licked the exposed skin on Jan's neck, face, and ear.
In front of hundreds of eyes growing wide with shock, a vampire and wolf displayed an unrestrained show of affection.
"What happened?" Jan asked, his voice sounding tight though his fangs had now retracted.
"A bite during a skirmish," Zyga spoke from behind, shifting form. "There are medics in the facility who can look at it."
Jan placed his arms under Ethan's torso. But when the white-bellied wolf realized his mate was about to lift him up, he scuttled away, suddenly aware of all those inquisitive eyes around him.
No can do. I'm not gonna be carried off like a wimp in front of everybody again.
Ethan started limping toward the tunnel, and Jan followed him with a sigh.
"Give way," Eric's deep voice commanded.
A broad path opened up among the wolves into the tunnel, and this time no one stopped Jan as he walked in. He strayed no further than Ethan's hind legs. And his hips, clothed in slim-fitted gray pants that matched the Lycan's fur under a white shirt, brushed Ethan's side with every step.
YOU ARE READING
Blooded Mate
Fantasy[[MATURE CONTENT]] Pack, family, mate. Loyalty, respect, honor. These are the words that form the foundation of the wolf society. At six years old, Ethan had to choose between his Alpha title and his survival on the night of his father's death. As a...
