Drantos (VLG Series Book 1) (34 page)

He watched her disappear into his room and his mood darkened. His parents were going to be a pain the ass. It would be simpler if Kraven were home. His brother had a way of finding solutions and dealing with their parents better than he ever could. He also was mating to Dusti’s sister. It would give their parents two targets to focus on instead of just him.

He strode over to the front door and twisted the bolts. That was one thing that would change, regardless of how anyone felt about it. He didn’t want everyone just walking into their home. A few minutes more and they would have been caught having sex on the couch. Father or not, he would have wanted to rip out the throat of any man who saw that much of Dusti.

He fixed a quick bowl of cereal, more than aware of the sound of running water down the hallway. He wanted to go to her. His dick throbbed. It wasn’t natural to refrain from sex while their mating bond still formed. Then again, the clan was on high alert thanks to Decker’s bullshit.

He might understand that he was needed, but that didn’t mean he didn’t regret it.

Chapter Fifteen

Dusti knew the people in the town of Howl would be curious about her, and she had to admit she wasn’t immune to the feeling either. She peered at every face they passed and noticed how closely they studied her. Drantos clutched her hand tighter. She lifted her chin to give him a worried glance.

“Are they all VampLycans? The whole town?”

“At night, yes, with a few Lycans thrown in. During the day like now, not always. There’s a main highway just a few miles away. There’s a sign that leads people here but not a lot of them come. Tourists visit but we refused to build a motel. We want to keep humans from staying too long.”

“Why allow them at all?”

He brought her to a brief halt. “A lot of travelers need food and fuel in this remote area, and that earns us a little income. It also makes humans less suspicious of us. We’re just a boring, isolated place to them. We even have an auto repair shop for the unfortunate ones who break down. We do keep an apartment above the shop for the occasional overnight customer. There’s a guard posted to make certain they don’t wander too far. We can’t allow them to roam freely and possibly see one of us when it isn’t a good time.”

Transformed into beast-looking creatures
, she thought, translating his meaning regarding what they didn’t want a human to see. “Are they going to be worried about me walking around?”

“No. Word has spread that you’re my mate. There’s no reason to fear anyone. This is your clan.”

“Maybe we shouldn’t have come into town so soon. Your dad might have been wrong.”

“You need clothing and shoes. While we don’t have much to offer here from our small store, it could take a week or two for your stuff to arrive from California; and the same for any packages to arrive from online orders. They don’t even deliver them this far out. We have to drive to another town to pick up mail. That’s how we mainly buy things in this remote area of Alaska.”

“Wow. You don’t even get mail here?”

“Nope. We won’t allow a post office to be set up in our territory. Mail is federally regulated. That means scrutiny we don’t welcome. Post offices are run by humans and we don’t wish for any to live in our town. It’s just easier if another town handles mail, and for us to send some of our men to go pick it up.”

“I see. “ She wiggled her toes in the three pairs of socks he’d made her wear to protect her feet from the ground. “I’m okay though. I don’t want you blowing a lot of money on me. It’s not as if I’m going to be outside much. I won’t be very popular around her. It’s probably better if I stay indoors.”

“Don’t think that way. Now, you need shoes, and my clothes practically tent you.” A grin flashed when his gaze lowered to her breasts. “Although I wouldn’t complain if you remained naked.”

She grinned. “As tempting as that is, your family tends to drop in announced. Lead on. Just don’t leave me alone.”

He started to walk again, keeping her hand inside his, and they entered a small tourist shop. The woman behind the counter smiled until her gaze lowered to Dusti. The twenty-something-looking woman frowned at that point.

“Drantos.” The woman inclined her head; her silky, short black hair brushed her tan shoulders revealed by a tank top. “It is good you have returned.”

“Peva, this is my mate, Dusti. She needs some temporary clothing and shoes.”

“Of course.”

“Drantos?”

Dusti turned to gawk at the six-foot-four guy with shaggy dark brown hair down to his broad shoulders who’d somehow managed to sneak up without a sound. His piercing brown gaze trained on Drantos. She guessed this had to be the guy who ran the auto shop, when she noticed engine grease smeared over his metal band T-shirt, the front of his faded jeans, and down both of his bared, muscular arms.

“What is it?” Drantos released her to address the tall man.

“We need to speak privately for a second.” He ignored everyone else. “I got a phone call. Can you step outside?”

“Yeah.” Drantos forced a smile at Dusti. “Go find shoes and some clothes. Don’t worry about the price and get enough to last you a few days. I’ll be right back.” He strode out of the store.

“So you are the human causing so much talk in the clan.”

Dusti turned to face the woman behind the counter. A little fear inched up her spine at the unhappy expression on Peva’s features. “My father was one. I’ve been told my mother was a VampLycan.”

“Drantos deserves to have a strong mate. That isn’t you.”

Shock held Dusti silent until her temper flared to life. “I take it you’re attracted to him? Too bad.
I’m
his mate.”

“That’s not true. He’s like family and I already have a mate. From what I hear, you rejected Drantos.” The woman moved around the counter but kept her distance. “You will make him appear weak to the clan.” She pointed to the back of the shop. “There are shoes and clothing over there. I even carry underclothes. Get them and get out. Drantos can pay up later. I hope you make his home life a happy one since he’s giving up so much for you.”

Dusti hesitated. “What does that mean?”

Anger burned in Peva’s glare. “He’s the first son of our clan leader. That means he’s expected to breed strong children to ensure our future. To take a weak mate is the equivalent of shirking his responsibilities to the clan. The men will lose respect for him. That’s a big deal. Do you have any idea how many women turn mating age and travel here in an attempt to get him to taste them, to see if they’re his mate? It devastated every female he turned down, and they came from strong families with good bloodlines. Their fathers were enforcers. He’s probably the most desired male in our clan, hell, in
any
of them. The men envied him—until
you
came along. Now they will pity him. They can be assholes. He’ll ignore it but it will make life hard on Drantos.”

She let that information sink in. Drantos had lost respect? That bothered her a lot. “I don’t know how to fix this. It’s not my fault my father was human. What do you expect me to do? I love him.”

“I see.” Peva’s anger seemed to drain somewhat. “I’m glad to hear that, at least.”

“Do you have any advice to help us with this mess or would you rather just try to make me feel worse?” Dusti edged closer to the clothes rack in the shop.

“Do you really care?”

Anger burned. “He’s my
mate
. I deeply love him,” Dusti ground out. “You could give me advice if you’re truly his friend, since I know so little about your ways.”

The woman appraised her. “You need to show the clan that you are worthy to be his mate. If you truly care about him, you try hard to fit in and make people like you. They might be willing to overlook your bloodlines.”

“Do you want to share some suggestions? I’m not a mind reader.”

Peva took a deep breath. “Be respectful to him at all times, especially publicly. Relationships work differently with VampLycans. You never contradict him in front of others. Do that at home, in private. You’re allowed to argue with your mate as much as you wish behind closed doors. Men like a woman with spirit and he’ll encourage that. Rumors are circulating that he had to plead with you to be his mate. “

“He didn’t beg me to come home with him.”

She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter. That’s what everyone believes. You need to fix that immediately before the rumors spread to other clans.”

“Fine.” Dusti spun around and quickly found things in her size. She got an armload of clothing, picked out a pair of canvas slip-ons, and then turned. “Do you need to add this up?”

“I see what you’ve taken.” Peva held out a bag.

Dusti put all the things into it. “Thank you.”

“Make him happy. That is all I want. We grew up together. He’s been as close to a brother as I have after my own died.”

“I’ll do my best,” she promised, before stepping out into the sunshine.

Drantos and the taller guy stood ten feet away whispering but they noticed her immediately. She paused until Drantos motioned her over. The big man ignored her still as if she didn’t exist. He didn’t glance at her once.

“Thank you,” Drantos said.

“Not a problem. Let me know if you need anything.” The guy disappeared down an alley next to the store.

“What was that about?”

Drantos took her burden from her then cradled her against his chest with one arm. “We’ll discuss it later. Do you want to put on the shoes now?”

“Not really. I’d just like to go home.”

He offered his hand. “Are you okay? You appear a little irritated.”

“I’m fine.”

He didn’t seem convinced but he tugged her toward the walkway. “We’ll be home soon.”

She noticed a group of five couples heading toward them on the sidewalk. Dusti bit her lip and then released it. “Are those your clan people ahead of us in that group?”

“Yes.”

Now is my chance
, she thought, mustering up her courage when the group drew closer. She jerked on Drantos’s hand to bring him to a halt. He turned to peer at her with a questioning gaze. Dusti took a deep breath, her heart racing, and she made sure she spoke loudly.

“Thank you for allowing me to be your mate, Drantos. I mean it. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

She rushed on, ignoring his shocked expression and the fact that the couples had stopped to gawk. “I don’t deserve you. I’ve been so unworthy. But I swear I’ll make it up to you every day.”

His jaw clenched and his gaze lifted over her head. Understanding dawned, quickly followed by amusement. His lips twitched. “You’ll show the clan that you’re more than worthy of being mine. They just need to see how courageous and strong you are, as I have.”

She winked at him subtly. “You’re the best. I love you.”

He lifted her hand to his lips, pressed a kiss on her knuckles, and then started to move down the sidewalk as he lowered it. “I love you too, sweetheart.”

She couldn’t resist glancing at the VampLycans when they passed them. All ten of them appeared openly stunned and she resisted the grin that threatened to curve her lips. She hoped that little display of them as a couple dispelled any gossip about Drantos having to talk her into being with him.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he said softly, once they’d cleared the town and reached the path to his cabin.

She opened her mouth to tell him she’d done it because she cared about him.

“But I appreciate it.”

Dusti understood. “I’d do anything for you.”

“My friend I spoke to heard from Kraven. He didn’t want to risk reaching out to me on the phone in case your grandfather tapped the lines to trace the call. He and Bat are somewhere safe. He knew we’d be worried.”

Tears filled Dusti’s eyes. “Thank you. When are they coming back? When will I see Bat again?”

“They will return as soon as Decker is caught and brought to justice. She’ll be safe once he’s no longer a threat.”

“Where are they?”

“He didn’t pass along that information.”

“Did Kraven mention to your friend if he’d told her yet that he wants Bat to be his mate?”

“He didn’t mention Kraven sounded in pain, so I assume not.”

Dusti chuckled. “Yeah. I almost feel sorry for your brother.” Her humor faded as quickly as it surfaced. “I don’t see how that can work out between them, to be honest.”

Drantos paused to gaze down at her with his beautiful eyes. “Love is the most important thing of all. He’ll love her.”

“She has her career that she’s suffered a lot for. It’s everything to her.”

“That’s not true. She loves you, and
you
matter more than anything to her. I saw that in her eyes every time she looked at you.”

“I’ve never tried to step in the way of her career. She just reached her ultimate goal. The law firm is considering making her a partner. She’d have to give it all up to be with him, wouldn’t she? You said VampLycans can’t stand living in cities. Her entire life is in Los Angeles.”

“Let’s go home. We can’t do anything for them but be here when they return.” He started to move again.

Dusti worried. She knew Kraven would do his best to protect her sister and that Bat wasn’t a slouch at watching her own back. But she really couldn’t see how their relationship could work out. Bat would fight Kraven every step of the way and have a major meltdown when he explained everything she’d have to give up to be with him. That was if her sister even allowed him to get that close to her. She’d sworn off ever loving a man again after having her heart broken.

Please don’t ever leave me
.
I couldn’t live without you, sweetheart.

Her heart melted when she glanced up at Drantos. “I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

He jerked to halt in front of their cabin, his dark blue eyes widening.

“What?”

“You heard me?”

“I’m not deaf. I’m not going to leave. I love you. I’m not as hung up on my old life as Bat is.”

A grin curved his lips, reminding her how handsome he was. “I didn’t say that aloud. I thought it. You’ve picked up my thoughts. You can hear me.” He closed his mouth.
Tell me you love me again.