Page 45 of You Will Obey
“It’s only because I refuse to lose you,” I said.
“I know. Still, I’m glad,” he said, then pulled back. I could feel his aura and he was buzzing, which meant he was still angry with me. I was still annoyed with him. The last thing I wanted to do was have to come to the aid of Théoden or any other bloodsucker. But Dante was mine and would be mine for eternity if I had anything to do with it.
I looked down at my right hand, Santi, and he was staring up at us, awaiting orders. His brown eyes regarding us thoughtfully, wondering what could be happening for me to issue an emergency howl. “Santi, contact our Beta Capos in Japan, India, and Greece. Have the wolves in Japan join those in India to combine their ranks. Ara is under attack and we are called to defend.” Santi nodded and walked off while dialing a number on his cell phone. While Dante and I waited for more of our pack to arrive, we did go over strategy, the best way to defend. Once all of our Beta Capos, Capos, and a decent amount of our pack was present, we stepped back onto the balcony and I began. “Battalion A will join Battalion B in New Haven. Santi is your commander. Battalions C and D will remain here with your Alphas to protect our territory if we are attacked by Alexander and his army.”
“Take note,” Dante said, and I didn’t interrupt, because I wanted our pack to see that we were unified in the matter. “These vampires are immune to our venoms and fire and sunlight, as they have attacked my King during the day. They may come here next once our sun has risen. Only my Sire and his line will be able to defend at full force. So, they will need every one of us to help.”
“Do we know how he was able to do that, Alphas?” Dominic asked.
Hell if I knew, and I was pretty certain Dante didn’t know either. I looked at Dante and he shook his head. I then returned my gaze to his son and our Beta Capo of Sector nine and Lord of District Six. “We don’t as this whole situation is unprecedented.”
One of my Beta Capos raised her hand. “Forgive me, Alphas, but maybe this is a good thing–” Sasha said.
I held up my hand, silencing her. For one thing, I’d already been down that route and it led to a devastating dead end. I really didn’t know if killing one Royal would kill them all. But I couldn’t ignore the logic of Dante’s words. If Alexander was able to alter his entire physical abilities as a vampire, Ara was one Royal I knew of who remained unchanged. I had to accept the fact that maybe what we all believed for millennia wasn’t truth, but superstition.
“If Ara is killed in this war, there may be a good chance that Dante would also die. Yes, he is half wolf, but he is also very much a vampire. His blood link to Théoden and Ara’s line could end. I will not lose my mate,” I said. I was sure some of them might not care since having now mated to Dante, we would keep everything we gained in terms of power after I ate his heart. But to me, it was more than that. He was my life, the other half of my soul. The threat to his life was unacceptable. “I will not lose my mate and as our pack, you all should want to protect your Alphas and our land. And if Ara wins, there is a chance he’ll gain more territory and in relation, so will we,” I added, to make the thought of war even more appealing.
I could feel the energy of my pack flowing through me, making me even more excited and energized for battle. If there was one thing wolves loved, it was a good fight. A chance to spill blood, to render flesh and tear it apart. It was in our nature and my pack was ready for a chance to unleash it.
“We will take our strongest forms, you will fight with claws, daggers, and swords. Silver can still kill them, so aim for their hearts and necks. Wear your armor for added protection,” I said. Normally, we wouldn’t if we were fighting other wolves. But with vampires, especially under these circumstances, I was taking no chances. “Go now, you have your orders.”
I watched as my pack dispersed quickly, using their werewolf speed.
“I know you want me by your side, but I should be guarding New Haven instead of Santi, I am the General,” Dante said.
I sighed and walked back into our bedroom. He followed me, closing the double balcony doors behind him. “You’re General of District Six, Dante. Therefore, you’re right where you need to be.”
“What about the wolves, won’t they want one of their Alphas leading the charge?”
“You will be, don’t worry. I want you at my side so I can protect you. Perhaps if you were stronger, I would have less concern. But you haven’t even been a vampire a full year. You're an infant in our world. Alexander will have vampires far older than you are and with the same advantages you have. If it pisses Théoden off that you’re not guarding New Haven, he can take it up with me if he fucking survives. Hell, if any of us survive.”
“What if Kendrick sends dragons here to help since Ara has vampires here in District Six? They do have an alliance,” Dante said.
I laughed. “Unlike our situation, Kendrick doesn’t really have any real reason to honor that allegiance Théoden forced onto him. Like me, he made it out of desperation, not want or need. It was life or death and so, he gave it to him. He may very well see the opportunity that I did. A chance to rid himself of that burden. Kendrick is the most powerful being… probably in the world. One of his ancient dragons alone could do so much damage. He doesn’t need Ara’s alliance or anyone else’s for that matter.”
“But my Sire is one of his Knights,” Dante said.
I walked over to him and caressed the side of his face. “Your naivety is showing, young pup.”
He groaned and slapped my hand away. “Is it too much to expect people who made a promise to keep it? Is there no honor?”
I sighed and shook my head. “Idealistic, but not too much, I suppose. However, when one has been forced into coercion, then that poses a problem. Kendrick may lose Théoden as one of his Knights, but that might be the sacrifice he’s willing to make. He might even be able to make another, I’m not sure. Dragons are a bit of a mystery to me.”
“You think Kendrick might even help Alexander?”
I shrugged. “The enemy of my enemy? Maybe. Or he might let Alexander clean Ara’s vampires out. Then before the dust clears, he could then attack Alexander and take over the vampire territories. That’s certainly very appealing. The fact that he returned my children to me gives me hope that he won’t try to take my territory. But who knows? At this point, the ball is in Kendrick’s court. He is the strongest amongst us simply by the sheer size of his dragon/wolf hybrid army.”
“So, throwing our lot in with Ara to help him succeed might save us too?”
“If Kendrick doesn’t help and Ara lives, there is no alliance between the two anymore. They may go to war and if that happens, Ara will lose. And we will as well, because I will still fight for you,” I said.
Dante took my head between his hands and leaned down, kissing me. “I love you, Josef,” he said once he pulled back.
I leaned forward, kissing him once more. “I love you too, Dante. Let us hope Kendrick likes having Théoden as a Knight. Perhaps I’ll call him to see what side he is on?” I walked over to the night stand where my cell phone was, but Dante grabbed me from behind.
“This might be our last time together. I want you,” he said, his tone thick with desire.
“Shouldn’t I know where he stands?” I asked, my voice also dripping with lust.