Creed

“Yes.”

She sighed and dropped her gaze to stare at his chest. He had a nice one, but it still felt weird. “Like this?”

“Yes.”

“I feel rude since you’re not wearing a shirt. I’m not checking you out.”

He barked out a harsh laugh. “It’s only appropriate to be without a shirt when we’ve just flown in.”

“Creed wears those thin-strapped tank tops. He can get his wings out in them without a problem.”

“It would be ruder to wear them here than to just be bare. They would be considered indecent by our standards. Let me take you to Galihia. Be very polite and respectful to her.”

“I will be.”

He gripped her arm. “This way.” He led her forward.

A big guy approached from the other direction. She tried not to stare. He wore leather pants, military-style boots, and a thin black material stretched tight over his muscled upper body. His eyes were a dark green with enough silver that they seemed to nearly glow. The sword strapped to his hip was scary looking, especially when he reached for it, wrapping his hand around the handle.

Kelzeb jerked Angel by her arm, shoving her behind him. “Stand down.”

“Who is she?”

“A new mate.”

“Who does she belong to? You?”

Kelzeb deepened his voice and it echoed when he spoke. “Keep walking. You’re not challenging for her.”

“Who does she belong to?”

“Not you. Her and her mate have an audience with Lord Aveoth.”

Angel peeked around Kelzeb’s broad back. The other guy still gripped his sword handle but his eye color had faded a little so they weren’t so silver. He locked them on her.

“Who do you belong to?”

“Don’t answer that,” Kelzeb snapped.

He reached back with his other arm and shifted her to his other side, still keeping her behind him. His hold was almost painful as he stepped forward, taking her with him. They walked past the other man. He didn’t attack but as soon as they were away from the stranger, Kelzeb yanked her in front of him so he kept his body between her and the other guy. They turned a corner.

“What was that about?”

“You are giving off the calling. Any unmated man in here is going to investigate and consider challenging for you. Your mating bond is weak and not fully formed yet.”

“What does that mean?”

“They might be tempted to fight Creed to the death. He isn’t well known here and has few friends. It means more than likely they’ll challenge to take his mate. You don’t want that. He’s a skilled fighter but some of these men are on the battlefield often. Creed isn’t. He could be rusty with his sword.”

That made her afraid for Creed. “What do you guys fight here?”

“Vampires mostly, from the larger cities if they’re getting out of hand. We fly in and take out some of their numbers. Occasionally we’ll get Gargoyles flying in from Europe when they believe they can invade our territory. We’re not far from Russia, they also come at us from that way. Full-bloods are pretty fierce.”

“You guys invade each other’s territories? Why?”

“You’re from a Lycan pack. Why do others invade your territory?”

“They want to take over when they’ve expanded their numbers to the point that they need land to add to their territory. Sometimes it’s to gain access to more women.”

“Exactly.” He kept her moving. They reached the top of stone stairs and he led her down, keeping a firm hold on her arm.

“How big is this place?”

He seemed to debate answering her, or maybe how to answer. She almost gave up on expecting him to say anything when he finally spoke.

“Are you familiar with an ant farm?”

“Yes.”

“Think of the interior of these cliffs like one of those. All the homes are linked internally, but we all have exterior entrances that can be sealed off if we’re attacked or in harsh weather. All of our community areas are deep inside, so they’re protected.”

“Have you ever had a full-on attack happen?”

“No, but we are prepared for that event.”

They came to the bottom of the steps and another interior corridor. Lights were along the walls about every twenty feet. She got a good look at them. “Electricity?”

“Generators. We have modernized somewhat.”

“Solar or gas?”

“Why do you ask?”

“I’m curious.”

“We have a river that runs through the base of our mountain. We use the flow of water to create power for our generators. Everything is self-contained from the outside world.”

“That’s impressive. What about when the winter comes and the water freezes?”

“We can switch to fuel but the water runs so deep that it never completely freezes. We’re a very old race. Now stop with your questions.” He halted in front of a massive wooden door. “We’re here. Be respectful. Lord Aveoth is more powerful than your alpha, and this is his mother.”

Angel nodded. “I understand.”

He shot her a grim look. “I hope so.” He raised a fist and pounded on the door.

The door opened quickly—and Angel tried not to gawk.

The woman was tall and very pretty. Long black hair had been neatly coiled around the crown of her head, then looped into a twisted rope that fell to her waist. Angel figured if it were real, the woman’s hair probably trailed behind her as she walked if it were ever set free of the elaborate hairstyle. The GarLycan leader’s mother was also rail thin and sporting a gown that looked right out of a ballroom.

“Lady Galihia.” Kelzeb released Angel and bowed deeply at his waist. “I present Angel. She is Creed’s mate.” He straightened. “I hope you were informed of her arrival. I apologize for my state of undress.”

“It’s fine. I was expecting her. Thank you.” She opened the door more. “Enter, Angel.”

She glanced at Kelzeb. He jerked his head, indicating she should go. She walked into the room and stopped short, openly staring around. It was as if she’d stepped back in time. It looked nothing like a cave. The dark wood floors, the loaded bookshelves lining one wall, and the big fireplace gave it an elegant library look. Fancy couches and a few tables were the only furniture. A painting hung over the mantel of the woman before her, holding an infant in her arms.

The door closed behind her and she forced her attention back on Lady Galihia. She didn’t even appear to be thirty in human years but that didn’t come as a surprise to Angel.

“How do you do?” It was the politest thing she could think to say; she’d heard it a movie.

“I am well. How are you, child?”

“It’s been a strange day.”

“I imagine so. Please follow me. A bath awaits you.” Galihia glanced down Angel’s body. “I’ll send for Re

Angel followed the woman down a wood-paneled hallway past closed doors to the one at the end. Lady Galihia opened it, revealing a massive bedroom. There were no windows anywhere but the interior looked as if they were in a real house, one that was a few hundred years old but with electricity. There were tall ceilings and even a chandelier hanging in the center. An open archway let her see a claw-foot bathtub.

“My bed chamber.” She walked over to a corded rope and tugged on it. “I have called for Re

“How does pulling on that cord get someone to come?”

“It runs all the way to the ceiling, where there’s a rope that rings a bell at the other end of it in Re