Drantos (VLG Series Book 1) (33 page)

“Father, what’s wrong?”

Velder closed the door and strode to a chair, taking a seat. “I came to check on you.”

Drantos grumbled low under his breath and gently lowered Dusti until she stood at his side. “I’m fine, but you knew I would be. What is the
real
reason you’ve come? There’s no need to be polite.”

Dusti bit her lip to prevent herself from pointing out it was extremely rude to just walk into someone’s house unannounced. The memory of what could happen if she offended the clan leader, and how it could cost Drantos in some way, helped her remain silent.

“Fine. We’re spread thin with this current threat. Kraven is gone and I need you back on patrol. I realize you just mated and need time to bond, but it’s a priority that we keep our women and children safe until things are stable.” He glanced at Dusti. “It’s also important to send a strong message that your mating her isn’t going to weaken your position in this clan. There are some rumblings.”

“Did you mention to them that her grandmother came from our clan?”

“It’s not her bloodlines that are in question. It’s her strength. Some also heard about what happened last night and word spread. They don’t feel as if she’ll be able to accept our ways and it will affect you. She
is
your mate.”

Drantos snorted. “She attacked a Lycan. I wouldn’t call that weak. She believed he was a
VampLycan
, yet still came to my defense.”

Velder scowled. “An elder Lycan who is respected by all. That didn’t earn her favor. No one doubts her bravery, it’s her sanity they question, and they wonder if you’ll act more human to please her. You know that would be a problem. You’re my first son. One day you’ll lead this clan.”

“Maybe in a hundred years or so if you decide to step aside. I’m sure as hell not going to challenge you.”

Velder shrugged. “It makes them nervous. Anxiety amongst our people is the last thing we need right now. They are already worried about Decker and how that will play out.”

“Fine. When do you want me to take a shift?”

“This evening. Get your mate settled today, and perhaps it would be a good idea if she was seen.”

“I’ll take her to get clothing.”

“There’s also the problem that she rejected you at first. It’s causing talk.”

Drantos snarled. “Don’t they have better things to do than gossip?”

“Apparently not.”

“She didn’t understand how mating works.”

“Your mother pointed that out to the women this morning when she met up with them at dawn. She’s hoping it will ease some of the tension.” Velder glanced at Dusti. “Outings with the women would be good for her.”

Drantos laughed.

“I’m serious,” Velder stated.             

“Should I be insulted?” Dusti stared up at Drantos. “What’s funny?”

He held her gaze. “Our women bond by hunting a couple of times a week when it’s summer. They shift forms and go take down a few large animals. They bring their kills back to the village to cook for feasts that bring the clan together. Humans would consider it a BBQ for the community.”

She wasn’t amused. “Great. I see the problem.”

“I didn’t mean to make light of it but you don’t like the sight of blood. Hunting is grisly. They use their fangs to rip out the throats of their prey.”

“I got it.”

Velder sighed, drawing their attention. “She could take a rifle and guard the downed kill while they hunt for others. We’ve seen a lot of wolves in the area where they hunt. It would make her a useful part of their outing.”

“There’s one problem with that,” Dusti volunteered. “I don’t know how to shoot a gun. I take it that I’d have to fire the thing to scare them off?”

“Perfect. So she could shoot one of our people by accident,” Velder muttered. “I shouldn’t have brought up that option. Maybe she could gather firewood for their cooking pits while they’re out hunting.”

“I can tell the difference between one of you guys in shift and a wolf. Give me a little credit.” VampLycans were bigger and way scarier looking. But she didn’t point that out.

“She’s not a youth. That’s their job.” Drantos looked pissed. “You want her status set in this clan but giving her firewood duty would undermine it.”

Velder stood. “This is the problem with mating with someone so human. How is she going to fit into our society? Everyone has a duty, but what can she do?”

“Be my mate.”

“And what of your clan? She will make you antisocial. We’re a community that depends on each other for our survival. That includes her, now that you’ve brought her home.”

Dusti had her own doubts about how she’d live with VampLycans but a sense of sadness filled her. She stared up at Drantos, watching him regard his father with a stern expression—and it sunk in that it wasn’t all about her.

She felt a little selfish in that moment. She’d been fixated on how
her
life would be affected but not really about the consequences
he’d
face for taking her as a mate. She loved Drantos. His people, not so much, but they needed to live with the clan.

“I’ll think of something,” Dusti swore.

Velder frowned. “Excuse me?”

“I’ll learn more about your people and figure it out. I get that it’s important that everyone accepts me. I’ll think of something,” she repeated.

“It’s not important.” Drantos put his arm around her. “You’re my mate. They will have no choice but to accept you. No one can possibly expect you to be a VampLycan. You’re not blooded enough to shift.”

“It
is
important,” Velder argued. “You’re going to lead this clan one day and she’s your mate. I couldn’t do my job effectively without your mother’s support. We’re a team. It brings balance to our people.”

And I don’t have claws or fangs
, Dusti silently acknowledged. She wouldn’t be beating up women like Drantos’s mother had admitting to doing the night before. She saw the problem. Velder had made it very clear.

“I can fit in,” she stated with a firmer tone. “I just need to figure out how to make it work.”

Velder sighed. “I hope so. For your sake and for his.”

“Father, enough.” Drantos shook his head. “It’s not Dusti’s problem how others react to her. I’m not taking over the clan for a long time. They’ll get to know her as I do and she’ll make friends. You’re making too much out of this.”

“It’s my job to always think of the clan first.” Velder paused. “You’re thinking of your mate first.”

“Mother is always your priority. Don’t deny it.”

“I took a mate who was easily accepted by the clan.”

“You would have taken her even if she’d been a GarLycan. I know you were with one before you met Mother. What if
she’d
been your mate? You would have claimed her, consequences be damned.”

“True.”

Dusti was stunned. She couldn’t imagine a female version of Aveoth—or Velder dating her. She assumed “with one” meant they’d been an item. “Would a GarLycan be accepted easier than I would be, with my mostly human blood?” She was curious.

Velder shook his head. “No. They are known to be more difficult to bond with and they are fiercely loyal to their own clan. Trust would always be an issue. Our clan would also have had doubts about the ability of any children I’d had with a GarLycan to lead the clan in the future. GarLycans can make cold decisions that don’t involve their hearts. It’s more about logic with them.”

“Everyone in that clan is military minded,” Drantos explained. “We’re geared more toward protecting our family and friends.”

“Well, there’s a bright side. I’m not a GarLycan. Score one for me.”

Drantos chuckled.

Velder scowled. “I don’t see the humor.”

“I’m all about making decisions with my heart. I mated to Drantos. I also pointed out I don’t even know how to shoot a gun. I’m obviously not military minded. See where I’m going with this?” Dusti forced a smile.

Velder closed his eyes.

“Ease up, Father,” Drantos rasped.

Velder opened his eyes, glowering at his son. “You need to take this more seriously and so does she.”

“It’s her first day in the clan. Cut her some slack.”

“Second day,” Velder corrected. “She attacked a Lycan elder on her first and made it clear she holds no respect for our laws or how they’re carried out. I cringe thinking about how day two will go once you take her from your home. Perhaps you should just keep her hidden. Out of sight, out of mind might be the best plan of action.”

The front door opened and Crayla entered. She wore a blue sarong wrapped around her body that started just above her breasts and fell to mid-thigh. She sniffed the air, closing the door behind her. “The tension is so thick in here I can smell it. What’s going on?”

Great, now I get to deal with Drantos’s scary mom
. It was annoying how his parents just walked into their home as if they owned the place. They really needed to start locking the door. She made a mental note to bring up that subject with Drantos later.

“Father is being rude to my mate.”

Crayla looked amused. “I see.” She walked up to Velder and leaned against his chest, rubbing her cheek with his. She turned her head, staring at Dusti. “We’re not sure what to do with you.”

“You’ll do nothing,” Drantos growled.

Crayla chuckled. “Calm down. Your mate is safe. We’re worried about how the clan will accept her.”

“She doesn’t like the sight of blood and doesn’t know how to use a weapon,” Velder muttered. “I am out of ideas.”

“Well, that’s why this is a problem for
me
to sort out. She’s a female and they are mine to take under my wing.” Crayla grinned at her mate. “Stop being grumpy and annoying our son. Don’t you remember how it was when I first arrived? Be nice to his mate. We’ll figure this out. They can mingle at the roast and then I’ll come here tonight while Drantos is on patrol. I’ll talk to her and see where we stand then. She’s got to be useful in some way.”

“Fantastic.” Dusti hoped the sarcasm didn’t sound in her voice when that word popped out.

Crayla laughed again. “She has potential. She’s not cowering behind our son. Let’s leave them alone for now. I know you wanted him to take her out today to show her off to the clan. They can’t do that while we’re still here.”

The couple strolled out holding hands, closing the door behind them.

Dusti sighed, peering up at Drantos. “This isn’t going to be easy, is it?”

“Nothing worthwhile ever is. It will be fine.”

She wanted to believe him.

Drantos wanted to pull Dusti into his arms and carry her to bed. The instinct to protect her was strong. The clan could go to hell, but he knew that kind of thinking was what his father feared most. Dusti would have an easier time if she were accepted by everyone.

“It doesn’t matter what anyone thinks.” He wanted her to know she was his main concern.

“These are the people you care about.”

“I love you. You’re my mate. You are always my priority.”

She smiled. “Thank you. I know you mean that. We’ll make this work. I wasn’t just blowing smoke up your father’s ass. I get that we’re in your world so I need to play nice with the natives.”

He laughed. She always amused him with the way she spoke. “They’ll get to know you and see how wonderful you are.”

She nodded. “I guess that means we should get ready and leave the house if I’m to be put on display.”

“Don’t look at it that way.” He could sense she was worried. “It’s just a new place. Deep down we’re basically the same as you.”

“Okay.”

“We are, Dusti. Don’t let the fact that we’re not human convince you otherwise. We have bad days and good. Dreams and disappointments. You love your sister the way we love our siblings.”

“I understand. It’s just going to take some time for me to adjust to the idea of living with a bunch of people who grow claws and fangs, but I will. I’m going to shower. Do you want to join me?”

He would make love to her and they’d never leave the house. He admitted as much. “I’ll go eat since you already did. It will be a quick trip out and then we’ll have the rest of the day to bond. We’ll go to the gathering later this afternoon. My shift won’t start until about ten tonight.”

“Got it. Horse and pony show first, then the good stuff. I like that plan. It’s like being rewarded after doing something that I know is going to be tough. Then we’ll face off against your entire clan at this dinner.”

Her words made his chest hurt. “I’m sorry this is difficult for you.” He meant it. He tried to put himself in her shoes. It would be drastically different for him if he attempted to join her world. He at least knew how hers worked. She hadn’t known his existed before he’d come into her life. “You’re very brave.”

She flashed him a grin that brightened her eyes. “It’s a good thing you’re seriously hot.”

He laughed. “I’ll make it up to you.”

“I’m counting on it. On that note, I’m going to shower.”