Defender's Blood Alex's Destiny (An Urban Fantasy) (16 page)

Alex was appalled, Zach’s job was dangerous, it hadn’t hit her before. Well on a subconscious level it had, but it was more real to her now.

“
Well you’ve met a few Wolves but there are other species of Weres. Very rare, keep to themselves but they are out there. I’ve came across a small pride of Lions, they live totally off the grid and don’t have anything to do with the Council. They rule in the wild, nonsense of any kind is dealt with quickly and the result is usually death. There are also Bears, they usually live in the wild in Canada. Again off the grid. There’s talk of others too but we haven’t had much to do with them. There’s a rumour of a group in Scotland – jaguars. I haven’t seen them personally but it wouldn’t surprise me. There’s so much land that’s unpopulated that it’s possible. Anyway, you seem to be taking a long time in there little one. I’m getting lonely!” Zach finished and Alex noted the huskiness to his tone.

She finished her teeth and put on the little satin nightie she had brought, the emphasis being on little. Zach had just started to talk again when she walked out and his words died on his lips.

She was a vision, his breath hitched in his throat. Arousal hit him fast and hard and he lifted the cover on the bed so she could join him. She had a smile on her face but it was a little timid. She once again could not believe that this man was hers.

She still felt a little self-conscious, she was sure her bum was wobbly. She had noticed changes to her body since she had started to train with Zach though. Things were tightening up but as far as she was concerned she still had some extra padding.

Zach felt this going through her mind. He pushed back at her more forcefully than he had before: ‘You are utter perfection to me, there is no one or nothing so beautiful on this earth.’ She smiled more confidently now and snuggled under the cover.

Zach took his time. He had also felt her fear about what was coming and he wanted to calm her. He started slow and continued so with caresses, kisses and little nibbles that drove her to the brink. There was an eternity for him to teach her the vast amount of ways to have pleasure, from the very simple to the more complex. From straight sex to a little BDSM, to role playing and a myriad of others.

Tonight he was treating her like fine china – gently and lovingly. When they were finished, he cuddled her close and she was asleep in minutes. Zach decided to nap with her and placed his other arm over her too so she was completely encompassed in his arms.

They woke several hours later. Both showered and dressed and made their way forward. Vlad and Dmitri were once more at the table playing cards and Alex wondered if they had rested or just had a marathon card game. “Did you two rest?” Zach asked – quite clipped, Alex noted.

“Yes sir, we did,” Vlad replied with a mock salute.

Zach’s voice was still clipped as he went on. “I don’t want you tired when we land. The minute we get there I want you on high alert, we don’t know what we’re walking into.” He sounded impatient.

“Zach relax, honestly, Dmitri and I both rested, we only got up about an hour ago. You know I would never put a mission in jeopardy and I most certainly would not put the lives of people I care about in danger.” Vlad seemed upset that Zach would even suggest it.

Zach took a deep breath. “I know Vlad, I’m just a little on edge. It’s the not knowing that’s getting to me. If I knew we would only have to deal with anything once we were at the cave then I could relax a bit, but we don’t know if they will try to get to Alex before then. I won’t unwind now until we’re on Pack land – I know Duncan was making sure it is warded and safe for us.”

Vlad got up and came over, he slapped Zach on his back and told him. “I know my friend. I would feel the same if it was Irina. You know I would do anything for you and I would die protecting Alex.”

“
Let’s hope no one dies on this mission,” Zach whispered.

Rhianna and Bri joined them at this point. Both still looking a little sleepy. They had some coffee which seemed to perk them up a bit.

“Okay lets go over everything again,” Vlad said and they did, thoroughly.

It made Zach calm down a bit and he was sure that was the reason Vlad did it. He was a good friend.

Just as they were finishing Zach’s phone rang – it was Thadius. “Hi Zach, I have pulled a few strings and none of you will be searched at security, either personally or your luggage, so you don’t need to worry about anything that you are taking with you.”

Zach let out a sigh and answered. “That’s a relief Thadius, thank you.”

Thadius’s strong voice continued. “No thanks are required Zach. I just wish there was more I could do to help. Please take care and I hope to see all of you in a couple of days.”

Zach conveyed what Thadius had said, then got his weapons out and spoke his thoughts. “Okay so if we don’t need to worry about security, I’m going to arm myself with a few things, just in case. Obviously the sword is out, I don’t want to take the chance that someone might spot it, but the knives are going on. Alex – I want your knives strapped on too.”

He got to work, doing Alex’s first, then strapping one to each forearm, one small knife inside the top of his boots. A couple he placed in the inside of his coat, a long black leather one that Alex had not seen him wear before. He finished arming himself with a pretty large dagger in the waistband of his jeans at his back. Alex was scared he would hurt himself with all the blades he was wearing. Vlad and Dmitri also armed themselves with some blades too, although the guns and crossbow stayed in their bags.

Chapter 14

The plane landed as smoothly as Alex remembered, the pilot really was very good. It was the middle of the night local time, and when they disembarked they were all surprised to see Duncan not far from where the plane had stopped. He was standing with another large man next to two large, black off-road jeeps.

Duncan clasped Zach’s hand in a strong handshake and his voice rumbled. “My are we no lucky tae see ye twice in as many weeks, ma friend.”

Zach laughed his reply, “Indeed.” At that word Alexina tried to suppress a laugh.

Duncan continued “That Thadius must hae a lot o pull tae get us ontae the tarmac, laddie.”

Zach nodded his head. “I think he does, Duncan.”

Vlad took all the bags from everyone and loaded them into the jeeps. As they didn’t have a lot, they fit in one of them. As soon as they were loaded Duncan hurried them along. “Right we can get off noo. We’ll be yer chauffeurs so split up – three n three fer each. This here’s Scott, ma Beta, an ye couldnae ask fer a better lad at yer back in a pinch.”

Duncan gave Alex a strong hug. “Nice tae see ye again, little lass. I hope that brigand’s treating ye right?”

She smiled, into his stomach as that was where she came up to on him! “Yes Duncan he is ... indeed.” Zach snorted, trying not to laugh.

Zach turned to the others. “Ok Vlad, you come with me and Alex in Duncan’s and the rest of you can go with Scott.”

*****

Scott had been standing just watching the others, and his attention seemed to be drawn to Bri. He thought she looked gorgeous and he sniffed the air getting her scent.

Bri had taken note of Scott, he was large, even slightly bigger than Duncan. He had dirty blonde hair with green eyes. She loved green eyes. She had noticed Alex had them too, maybe it was a Scottish thing? She didn’t know, but green eyes were quite rare, so she always noticed if someone had them.

Scott was staring at her openly now. Wolves were not known for their shyness. He opened the door for her and helped her in, making sure she was sitting in the front beside him. Her smell was assaulting his nostrils and they flared in response. He had a feeling deep down but dismissed it – surely not?

*****

Dmitri and Rhianna got in the back of Scott’s vehicle and in Duncan’s jeep Vlad sat up front and Zach and Alex were in the back.

“
Buckle up – widnae want any oh ma precious cargo gettin hurt noo,” Duncan advised. He drove slowly until they were out of the airport grounds and on the main road. Then he put his foot down and they were flying.

The scenery was non-existent due to the darkness, but Alex knew this area quite well and commented. “Duncan, I’m pretty sure there are speed cameras about here, maybe you should slow down.”

He chortled. “That’s no a problem, they canny get oor licence plates – covered in mud. Dae it all the time.” Alex laughed at the old trick, she didn’t realise it actually worked.

As they drove on, Vlad filled Duncan in about what had happened up to this point and the plans for going to the cave. Duncan ‘harrumphed’ in a few places but otherwise stayed quiet until Vlad had finished.

“Looks like we got oorselves quite a mission, laddies. I’ll be goin wae ye an at least one mare fae ma Pack. I know ye Vampire boys have great senses an powers but us Wolves hae better noses. I’m hopin we’ll smell anythin in advance an that may gie us an edge.”

“
Duncan, I am very grateful for all you and the Pack are doing for us. I just hope we can all get through this unscathed,” Zach told him.

“
Dinae worry yersel Zach – I know fer a fact ye wid dae the same fer me or mine.”

“
Indeed,” Zach replied and this time Alex snorted trying not to laugh.

Duncan ignored her and carried on talking. “Right that’s the business oot the way. Tell me bout you two, yer lookin awfully close back there?” He was looking in the rear-view mirror and could see them sitting close and Zach’s arm was around Alex holding her tightly. He probably also smelled Zach all over Alex and vice versa and the smell of recent sex covered them.

“Now THAT is another story entirely! Lots of developments on that side of things and trust me when I tell you, Duncan, you are NOT going to believe me.” Zach was half-laughing as he spoke.

Duncan was still looking occasionally in the mirror. “Laddie ye’ve got ma interest noo. Come oan, spill the beans.”

Zach did, told him everything, well not ‘everything’ but the main points.

Again Duncan stayed – mostly – there were a few “Are ye kiddin me?” thrown in.

When Zach finished Duncan let out a large sigh. “Well that’s no a story ye hear every day. Oor great one in the sky intervening, Angels an Demons an, correct me if I misheard ye, fairies?”

Alex just gave him a “Yup.”

Vlad had turned in his seat and was staring at them. “Well Duncan – we’re just going to have to make sure nothing happens to either of them,” Vlad said slowly.

Duncan answered in a grim tone. “Aye Vladimir, I agree wae ye there ma man.”

Telling the full details of what had been happening made both of them realise the seriousness of their situation. It was rather daunting, more so it seemed for Alex. When she had heard Zach telling Duncan the details she had got more than a little jittery. She was scared, not for herself, but for Zach. If something happened to her on this mission, Zach would also die. She couldn’t bear that thought in her head and tried to push it away and calm herself.

Then Zach’s thoughts were in her mind. ‘It’s okay, Alexina. I won’t let anything happen to you. Please don’t worry.’

She snuggled closer and replied in her head ‘Okay, Zach, I trust you completely, but please be careful too. I don’t want you hurt.’

Zach once more used just his mind to answer her. ‘No worries on that score honey, I’ll be careful. Now do you think that Duncan’s got a nice big bed waiting for us?’ Alex nearly choked and gave a small snort. This Vampire was incorrigible.

Vlad turned round and gave them a funny look, not understanding what was going on.

‘
I hope so Mr Vampire, I hope so.’ Alex pushed the thought to Zach. “Indeed,” he spoke aloud.

Again Vlad turned round. “Okay you two, what’s up? Are you doing that mind thing you told us about?”

Zach smiled. “Indeed!” he laughed.

“
Oh I see, well I don’t think it would take many guesses to find out what you were discussing,” Vlad smiled.

Duncan gave a loud guffaw. “Well ma missus will hae a room all ready for ye.”

After about an hour’s driving, Alex saw they had came off the main road that would have taken them to Glasgow. They were heading farther into the country and there were fewer and fewer houses in sight.

“
Where are we going?” she asked Duncan.

“
Oot to ma place. Ye didnae think ah stayed in the toon did ye? Nae, us Wolves like the countryside, the more remote the better. Nae prying eyes aboot.”

“
Oh I guess that makes sense.” Alex had thought they were going into the city or ‘toon’ as Duncan called it.

“
Oor place is in the back o beyond, lassie. Got a nice wee set up – a large farm – a workin farm mind ye, sheep, and several hooses on the land. That’s apart fae the main farmhoose an a few cottages next tae it. Me n the missus is in the main farmhoose wae one oh ma guards, it’s quite a big place so plenty oh rooms. The other cottages and hooses on the land have got some mair oh the Pack livin in them, an working the farm. Scott, bein the Beta, has one oh the cottages tae himsel, it’s got a spare room so we thought the Witches could use that. The rest of ye are in the main hoose. It’s ma wee piece oh heaven an Margaret is the icing on the cake.”

His voice had softened at the mention of Margaret, his mate, and Zach was curious to meet this woman who had softened Duncan up. He was a tough and hard man and it was unusual to see him like this.

Duncan went on. “The club in the toon, well that’s jest a good earner. Since us Supers came oot oh hidin, well there’s so many humans want tae meet them. The club is a safe place tae dae it. There’s always plenty security, an cameras aboot, so nothin can go doon withoot me or ma men bein able to interfere if it’s gettin oot oh hand.”

That made sense to Alex, although it hadn’t been something that had crossed her mind at any time. She had been happy living in her own wee bubble with just humans.

“No far noo,” Duncan advised. They had turned up a rather rough track leading to a farm in the distance. They could make out the lights from the buildings which Alex was surprised at, she thought everyone would be in bed.

A short while later, the two vehicles pulled up and parked in front of the main house. It was like a courtyard with the main house in front of them and then a few cottages on either side all facing inwards to the area where they had parked. Alex was also surprised at how nice it all looked. For some reason she had thought of a run-down farm estate. This was not like that at all. It was very nice, the buildings all looked in good repair and a couple of the cottages looked to be fairly new.

There were quite a few people about, they seemed to be waiting on them. They all got out and Vlad got his bag and Alex and Zach’s. Dmitri retrieved his and the sisters’ and handed theirs to them. Obviously Scott had told them of the sleeping arrangements as they said “Goodnight,” and followed Scott to the cottage nearest the main house, on the right. It was one of the ones that looked new. Scott waved to Duncan and took the girls inside.

The rest of them followed Duncan, with Vlad saying a few hellos to people he obviously knew. Zach had a hold of Alex’s hand as they approached the main door and a woman was standing there with a big smile on her face.

She skipped out and grabbed Duncan in a hug. She was taller than Alex, but still the top of her head only came to midway up his chest. She was curvy with extremely dark hair and dressed comfortably in jeans and a jumper, with big fluffy slippers on her feet.

Duncan picked her up and kissed her, passionately. “Ah it’s nice tae be hame.”

Margaret spoke to all of them. “I’ve got coffee and scones freshly baked for anyone who wants them. I’ve also got some chamomile tea in case coffee is not to your taste, although I do have decaf coffee too.” She smiled at everyone and Alex was quite surprised that she spoke with an English accent, it’s not something that was common in Scotland. She wondered where they had met?

Duncan ushered them all inside and Margaret led them through to a huge kitchen area. It was lovely, with a big Aga stove and a very large table with plenty of chairs around it.

The newly baked scones sat in the middle with the drinks. The smell of the scones made Alex a little homesick so she took one and placed it on a side plate from the small stack sitting next to the coffee. She lavished it with butter and then put some jam on top. Fab, she thought.

Everyone else had sat down and the guys were all drinking coffee. She didn’t think it was a good idea for her at that time of night so she asked for decaf. Margaret got her some and then sat on Duncan’s knee, wrapping her arms around his neck. Duncan smiled at her and gave her bottom a quick squeeze, to which she yelped in surprise. It was obvious they loved each other and it was rather strange seeing this large, tough man being so gentle with his woman.

Vlad opened the conversation. “So Margaret, it’s lovely to meet you – the woman who tamed Duncan?” Vlad smirked as he spoke.

“
Noo u listen here wee man ...” Duncan started and Margaret pinched his nose and laughed.

“
Now now Duncan, he’s only joking with you, aren’t you?” she directed to Vlad, with an emphasis on the end part and a tone that brooked no argument.

“
Uhm ... yes ma’am,” Vlad answered immediately. Alex smiled, she could see that Margaret was not someone to trifle with, especially where Duncan was concerned.

“
Oh I so like that American twang, the way you say ma’am is so endearing,” she cooed.

“
So how did you two meet?” Alex queried.

Margaret took up the story and told them that her father had tried to marry her off to the Alpha of another Pack to make an alliance, but she was having none of it. She left home in the middle of the night and made her way to Scotland.

She was laying low and heard about Duncan’s club so went looking for a job. She met Duncan on the second night she was working there. “And the rest, as the saying goes, is history,” Margaret finished.

Duncan took it from there. “Aye the lass knew that we had a large strong Pack here aboots so she thought she’d be safer here. We dinnae like strangers running aboot so if her family came lookin fer her ... well let’s jest say they widnae get the red carpet rolled oot fer them.” Duncan again looked at Margaret and Alex saw a very similar look as to how Zach looked at her, with love.

Duncan continued the story. “So I walks intae the club that night an I smelled her as soon as I got throo the door! It wis practically love at first sight, or smell! She got under ma skin that night an I jest knew I had tae have her! She made me run aboot for a while tho, but she finally gave in.” He was chortling and Margaret gave him a light punch on the shoulder.