Elena’s POV
Damien’s expression darkened as he processed the gravity of the ssages flooding my dark web contacts. The weight of our discovery pressed against my chest like a physical force. We needed answers about tracing the lineage back to the original vampire, but neither of us had any concrete leads on this ancient being. Was this progenitor still walking among us, or had centuries already claid its existence?
Only one option ca to mind. I snatched my phone and stepped into the adjacent room for privacy.
"Yeah?" Julian’s familiar voice cut through the static.
"I need you here tonight," I said without preamble.
"What’s the situation?" His tone sharpened imdiately.
"These things hunting us, terrorizing the human settlents, they’ve been tracking since infancy. I just discovered they’re all descended from the very first vampire." The words felt surreal leaving my lips.
Silence stretched between us before he spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper. "Jesus."
"Do you have intel on this?" I pressed.
"Nobody crosses the first vampire and lives to tell about it." The fear in his voice sent ice through my veins.
"So it’s still breathing?"
"I’m coming to the pack territory tonight," he said, dodging my question entirely.
"Please do."
"Marcus and his wolves going to have a problem with that?"
"I couldn’t care less what they think. I’ll notify the patrol units you’re incoming. After they witnessed flatten their precious Alpha, I doubt anyone’s going to challenge my decisions." A satisfied smirk tugged at my lips.
"You did what?" He choked on whatever he’d been drinking.
"He had it coming."
"I don’t question that for a second. We’ll arrive after sunset."
"See you then."
Returning to the living room, I settled on the carpet beside Damien and noticed Skye’s absence imdiately.
"Finally giving herself a break instead of constant babysitting duty?" I asked.
"I practically forced her out the door. She hasn’t had a mont to herself since we abandoned our old pack." Damien’s concerned expression softened slightly.
"She’s sacrificed too much helping us."
"Told her to breathe so fresh air, maybe connect with new people," he said.
"Smart move."
Briar launched herself at as I stretched out on the floor, her tiny hands gripping my shirt as she used as her personal jungle gym. I lifted her high above my head, earning delighted squeals while Caleb remained absorbed in his truck convoy. Damien observed us with an expression I couldn’t quite decipher.
"What’s that look for?" I questioned.
"Just morizing this mont. Being together like this. Sothing tells we’re about to face hell, and soon." His voice carried a weight that made my stomach clench.
"You can’t know that for certain. Julian arrives after dark. Not sure who he’s bringing, but I suspect he has crucial information."
"Great. Another encounter with that bastard." Damien’s jaw tightened.
"You can’t argue they’ve consistently tried to help us," I reminded him.
"Sure, but will their help prevent the bloodbath that’s coming?"
"God, I hope so. We’ll know soon enough."
Sothing else was eating at Damien, though he wouldn’t voice it. I suspected it involved Marcus. Yes, Damien knew about the mate bond Marcus and I once shared. He also knew I’d rejected it completely. We were second chance mates who’d built sothing real together. I couldn’t understand his anxiety about sharing space with Marcus, especially after witnessing what an absolute ass Marcus had beco. Nothing could make reconsider having anything to do with him or allowing him near Caleb.
The coroner’s arrival interrupted my thoughts. Damien handled the entire interaction while I kept the children occupied, shielding them from anything that might disturb their innocence.
Relief flooded through when the officials finally departed. An oga thoroughly scrubbed the bedroom from ceiling to floor while I remained focused on my kids, playing gas and telling stories. Anything to avoid confronting the reality of losing my mother. The guilt of my five-year absence gnawed at relentlessly.
Despite her insistence that my departure had been necessary, that she understood why I’d fled Marcus’s toxicity, I still questioned his motives for moving her into the packhouse. Probably so manipulative sche to lure back, since he claid he’d always known I wasn’t dead. Even that knowledge hadn’t been enough motivation.
Mom had maintained her secret phone, keeping our connection alive. Plus our pack informant provided regular updates about Marcus’s treatnt of her. That intelligence network gave the peace of mind I desperately needed.
But she’d lived for those clandestine conversations. The way her face illuminated when she t her grandchildren for the first ti remained burned into my mory. She’d died protecting those precious babies. That sacrifice would define her legacy forever.
After dinner, we bathed the children and settled into our bedti routine. I read stories while Damien fed Briar her bottle, both kids eventually succumbing to sleep. Damien transferred Briar to her portable cot before we slipped out with the monitor.
Skye had finally returned, her absence much longer than expected. Sothing strange flickered across her features when she entered, but she deflected our questions and disappeared upstairs without explanation.
Damien and I exchanged puzzled glances but didn’t push. She’d share when ready.
We grabbed beers from the refrigerator and positioned ourselves on the back patio furniture, waiting for Julian’s arrival. I’d already briefed the patrol teams about their incoming presence and my expectation of unimpeded access.
We’d barely settled when dark silhouettes erged from the forest edge, advancing toward the house.
I identified Julian’s distinctive gait, flanked by Dante and Tessa.
"Why the hell did she tag along?" Damien growled.
"Probably serving as so kind of liaison since she’s got wolf blood," I reasoned.
"Maybe." He stood as I did, both of us preparing to escort them inside for a more secure conversation.
The night air crackled with tension as they approached, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever information they carried would change everything.
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