A Pack For Christmas (Kansas City Vampires Book 7) (6 page)

Alex immediately knew something was wrong the moment his soul animated his body. The cold cement floor against his naked skin was a dead giveaway. He sprang to his feet, ready to fight and defend, but other than cage bars and concrete walls, there was nothing to defend against. The bars were shiny, not solid silver, but coated in the substance if he had to guess. He yanked and pulled on the two-inch rods. They didn’t bend even in the slightest. This was a special cage, meant to hold werewolves, if the silver was any indication.

Silver didn’t affect vampires. Neither did crosses, running water, holy water, or garlic. And while their bodies were technically dead during the daytime, sunlight didn’t cause them to burst into flames. A wooden stake through the heart would paralyze a vampire, but cutting off the head was the most effective way to ensure the undead stayed dead.

However, silver worked excellently on werewolves. That part of the mythology had been true. But how and why had he ended up here?

His senses weren’t as keen as a wolf’s, but he could smell something familiar in the cage. He ignored the hunger cramping his gut. The initial surprise had worn off, and his nature fought to take over. He let his vampire out. His forehead bulged, and the darkness of the room turned bright and vivid. He could see into every corner as if the ceiling had peeled away and flooded every square foot with daylight.

The beast inside him sniffed, drawing in the stale damp air. Recognizing the scent, he went stock-still.

Using the breath he’d inhaled, he bellowed, “Julia!” His voice ricocheted in echoes off the subterranean walls. “Julia,” he yelled again. She’d been here in this horrible place. But why?

The door at the top of the stair opened. Two men, one in coveralls and another in jeans and biker jacket walked down the steps. Coveralls carried a pale, limp Julia in his arms, while Biker Jacket held a quart jar full of a dark substance.

The whiff caught Alex off guard. Blood. He licked his lips, and his gut tightened with pain. Vampires could go a couple of days without blood, but the resistance to their hunger could make them crazy. Unfortunately, Alex’s past victims had found that out the hard way. But this much blood in the air… Alex’s fangs slid down.

The man holding Julia stopped in front of the cage door. “You stay on the other side, fanger, or the girl is going to join you with a broken neck. Get me?”

Alex growled, but backed away. He could rush the wolf and snap him in half without breaking a sweat, but Julia might not survive. Even his vampire wanted her safe and protected. The guy holding the blood opened the door with gloved hands. Coveralls set Julia down inside the cage. Biker guy smiled, baring his teeth. With one hand on the door, he dumped the blood on Julia and immediately slammed the cage shut behind her.

Alex flew across the cage, trying to catch the door before it latched. The werewolves jumped back, but when the door wouldn’t open, they regained their composure and laughed.

“Have a good reunion,” the guy with the jacket said. They both left, laughing and joking.

The sweet scent of blood pulled at Alex. He looked down at Julia. Her face and naked body were covered in scarlet. “Julia,” he said, his voice tight with anxiety. He was afraid to get closer. He didn’t want to hurt her, but the blood called to his hunger. “Julia,” he said again.

She stirred. A low groan escaped her lips. Blinking, she raised a fist and rubbed blood from her eyes. “Alex?” She blinked again, then looked at her hand, covered in smears of red. She gasped and struggled backward.

“It’s okay,” Alex said, trying to sound more calm than he felt.

“I’m covered in… Oh my God, Alex. I’m covered in blood,” she whispered. “And why am I naked?”

Her fear quickened her pulse. Her quickened pulse poked Alex’s predator. “You need to keep calm.”

“I’m naked and covered in blood. How am I supposed to stay calm?” Her hands flew to the bend of her arm. Alex could see the pin-pricked hole, even from a few feet away. “I think it’s my own.”

Alex bit his lower lips, splitting the skin between his teeth. “It is yours.” He’d smelled and tasted her blood once before. It was definitely Julia’s.

She stared at him, her mouth gaping as the horror settled in. It was the moment, Alex knew, where she realized she’d been caged with a vampire.

“Uhm, I don’t suppose you’ve fed today?”

Alex shook his head. “Nope.”

“Shit.”

“Yep.” He licked his lips again. The cut he’d made with his teeth had already closed. The blood looked so good. He could clean it off her without actually feeding from Julia. A good compromise, his vampire thought. Somehow, he didn’t think Julia would feel the same.

“Alex.”

“Yes, Julia,” he replied.

“Why are we here?”

“I don’t know. I was in bed then poof -- here. Wherever here is.”

“They took me last night. At a gas station. It really feels like I’m in a bad slasher film.”

“And the part of the serial killer will be played by…” Alex didn’t finish with his name, but he knew Julia understood. “I’m really hungry.”

“I know.” She kept an eye on Alex as she backed farther away. “I think this is all about Rafir.”

Alex snorted. “Yes. We’re dealing with werewolves, so the chances are really good.”

“Do you think he knows we’re in trouble?”

“I don’t know.”

“He knows,” she said with determination. “He knows, and he is going to find us.”

Hopefully before hunger took over his ability to think and reason, Alex mentally added. She smelled so good, so alive, and his gut withered painfully with every second he denied himself a drink. Inadvertently, he stepped toward her. With her back against the cage, she couldn’t put any more distance between them.

“Alex, don’t,” she said, putting her hands up.

“I don’t want to… I won’t…” He dropped down to his hands and knees, crawling across the cement floor. “Don’t be scared, Julia. Please.”

“I’m trying not to be, Alex, but your fangs and glowy eyes are making it kind of hard to keep my shit together.”

“Your fear makes it hard for me to keep control.”

“I know.” She forced a deep breath and closed her eyes. “I’m trying.”

“I won’t hurt you,” Alex said. “I’d let you kill me first.”

“With what? My bare hands?”

Her sarcasm made him less anxious. He could hear her heartbeat slowing. But his hunger would soon be unbearable, and they had to escape if he wanted to keep Julia safe. There were bars above him and all around. Unbreakable and unbendable. He rose up off his hands and slammed his fist against the concrete. Chips of debris flew as he created a small crater in the floor. Julia cried out when a chunk hit her above the eye.

Alex stopped and scrambled to her. He held her face between his hands and ignored the drying blood. The new blood flowing from the small gash mesmerized him. He licked his thumb and wiped at the wound, using his saliva to stop the bleeding and heal her. He licked his thumb again, this time to taste the slightly sweet, metallic liquid.

Julia inhaled sharply, and he stopped. He would not freak her out more. Not if he could help it. It was the only way for both of them to survive the cage.

Her eyes softened as she gazed up at his face. She really was lovely. Her short auburn hair framed the pale perfection in her face. Her lips were narrow, but full, almost cherubic. She had a pert nose and large round eyes the color of luminescent moss. He tilted her chin. The vampires had left her face alone. It was the only part of her voluptuous body they hadn’t tortured or scarred. They’d been so vicious in their abuse. Alex understood the cruelty of vampires better than most, and even he couldn’t fathom what she must have gone through during her decade as a slave.

“I know it’s hard to be around me.” Alex dropped his gaze. “I’m sorry. I was planning on leaving Kansas City tonight, if that helps.”

Julia’s body went rigid. “You can’t.”

“I won’t stay if it means you won’t.”

She shook her head and glanced away. “I had to go. After everything you’ve been through, Alex, for him to do what he did.” The tears flooding her eyes leaked out and down her cheeks making small channels in the dried blood. “He raped you. I never thought…”

Alex put a finger to her lips. “No, Julia. He didn’t.” He sat down next to her on the ground and slipped his hand into hers. Their fingers intertwined. “I am a vampire.”

“So!” She squeezed his fingers. “It doesn’t give anyone the right to use you like that.”

Her concern actually touched him, but she still didn’t fully understand. “I made a choice. I’m vampire. I’m stronger than any human, than any werewolf. I could have stopped Rafir, but I made a choice. I know he seems human most of the time, but he’s not. And I threatened our relationship by” -- Alex flexed his fingers -- “kind of hooking up with my ex.”

“What?” Julia’s brows narrowed.

“Nothing happened… much.” Alex tried to look abashed. “I let Rafir take me because his wolf needed to establish dominance. He needed to know I was his and not some other man’s. So I gave over completely. I consented. That’s not rape. And you know I know the difference.”

Julia chewed on her lower lip for a moment before she responded. “Do you think he would do it to me if he thought he was losing me? I’m not a vampire. I wouldn’t have a choice, and his big ass wolfy form would probably kill me.”

“No. He’s not been himself the last couple of days, but he would never hurt you. I think his wolf is aware of the limits. Besides, I wouldn’t allow it even if the wolf in him went nuts.”

“Why would you do that? Why would you go against Rafir for me?”

The question agitated Alex. For the last four months she’d put their relationship in a neat and tidy box. They’d both shared Rafir, but it wasn’t what Alex wanted. He wanted Julia, also, but she wouldn’t accept him. “I love Rafir.”

“Yes, I know.”

“But I love you too.”

Julia loosened her grip on his hand as if to pull away.

Alex kept his hold. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to freak you out, but I do love you.”

“But not like Rafir.”

“I’m not sure what you’re getting at.”

“I’m like the long lost sister, right? You love me, but you’re in love with Rafir.”

Alex let his gaze roam over her luscious curves. Even without the blood, she turned him on. He remembered what it was like to be with her. To have her in his arms. Her warmth. Her kisses. “Definitely not like a sister.”

“What?”

Alex bared his soul for Julia, laying his heart at her feet for her to stomp all over. “I am Raf’s, but I’m also yours. I’m more sorry than you’ll ever know that you can’t return my feelings, but I’ve been in love with you for almost as long as I’ve been in love with Rafir.”

“But I thought --”

“What did you think?”

“You’re gay.”

Alex chuckled. “As a human, yes. But vampires are more about sex than any specific sexuality.”

“You’re not attracted to me.”

Alex stared into her eyes and put all the heat of his yearning desire into his expression. “Oh, but I am.”

“I --” She closed her mouth before finishing whatever she was going to say. Instead, she craned her head toward him and kissed him with a tenderness Alex hadn’t felt in a long time.

Alex’s passion flared bright and hot. He wanted Julia. Sex and blood. Blood and Sex. She was both and so much more. His resolve weakened as he tasted her lips. He pulled back. “This is dangerous.”

Julia smiled, frightened, yet persistent. “I trust you, Alex. I… I want this. I want you.”

Alex’s eyes watered. He’d never believed Julia would accept him, accept his love. But here, in this godawful place, she’d finally opened herself to him. She couldn’t have given him a better gift.

It was impossible to sneak into the three-story Victorian style home. Bernard had wolves posted front, sides, and back along with closed circuit cameras on all the windows and doors. The place had tighter security than a bank. He decided to take the direct route. He would tell Bernard he would leave Kansas City, or submit to him, or whatever it took to get Alex and Julia out safely. He would give them up to keep them alive.

He was shown directly to a large foyer where two large bruisers of men babysat him until a guy in a black leather jacket joined them.

“Bernard will see you.” He gestured toward the stairway, and followed behind Rafir as they headed up the steps.

He showed Rafir into a spacious room filled with mounted screens on the far wall, desks with computers on top and rolling chairs occupied with a couple of men and women -- all wolves. Bernard, still looking like a pharmacist, stood with his arms crossed against his chest.

“You missed the deadline, Caras.”

“Yes, I’m sorry.” And he was. Very sorry. His delay in action had caused his pack to be snatched from him. Kidnapped by this lowlife motherfucker who stared at him so confidently. If it wasn’t for Alex and Julia, he’d rip the man’s beating heart from his chest and make him eat it before his last gasping breath. “Where are my people?”

“This is the problem, son. Your people. You’re a lone wolf. You shouldn’t have people. Like I said before, I was okay with the human, but you’ve gone too far taking on a vamp.”

“You didn’t need to do this. I would have left you in peace.”

“For how long? You’ve got the taste for it now. You won’t be satisfied with just two pack members and before long it will be three, then four. You see where I’m going with this. It won’t take long for you to be a real threat.”

“Are Julia and Alex safe?”

“For now.”

The way Bernard said, “for now,” sent alarm bells off in Rafir’s head. “What do you mean?”

Bernard gestured to the monitor behind him. “Well, just see for yourself.”

Horror rose in Rafir like warm air in a cool room. Julia was on the ground in some dingy cage covered in a dark substance. He knew by the look on Alex’s face, it had to be blood. The vampire’s hunger showed plain in his glowing eyes. Alex would feed from Julia -- both of them living their worst nightmare. There would be no picking up the pieces if it happened. Alex wouldn’t be able to forgive himself, and Julia would never forgive Rafir -- if she survived.

He couldn’t take his eyes off the monitor, drawn to his two lovers as they struggled against their natures. They were talking. Even though they were both obviously afraid, they were talking to each other. Alex hadn’t pounced. Julia wasn’t scrambling and fighting for her life -- and Rafir had taught her to fight, so she wasn’t completely helpless. But she couldn’t defeat a vampire. Not while locked in a cage without a weapon and the element of surprise.

“Let them go,” he pleaded with Bernard. “I’ll do whatever you want.”

“How about I don’t let them go.” Bernard shook his head. “You should have joined me while you could. Now you’re going to have to watch your vampire drain your human, and then after, I’m going to kill you.”

Rafir stepped toward Bernard, but the men who’d escorted him up had anticipated a move and grabbed him by the arms before he could get one claw on the pack master.

“Don’t be hasty, Caras. You’ll get your chance. But for me, I like a good show with my dinner.” He turned to the monitor, and the two men holding Raf forced him to face the screen as well.

He watched, aghast at the scene unfolding. Alex crawled on hands and knees toward Julia in predator mode. Julia held up her hand, but didn’t try to get away. They were still talking. What in the world could they be talking about? Alex stopped suddenly. He began to punch at the floor. Hope filled Rafir. Alex hadn’t given up on himself or given in to instinct. He was trying to break free.

“He’s trying to dig his way out!” the guy in the jacket said.

Bernard shook his head. “I laid the cage out myself. The titanium bars go for four feet down under the concrete. He’s not going anywhere.”

Titanium? The cage would hold just about any supe. Werewolf or vampire. Bernard had to have spent a small fortune on it. Alex wouldn’t be able to get Julia and himself out, not in time. His hunger would drive him to madness, and his madness would lead to Julia’s death.

A chunk of concrete flew across the cage and hit Julia in the face. Alex stopped punching the ground and scrambled to her.

Oh shit, Rafir thought. Fresh blood. Alex wet his thumb and swiped at her cut.

“Your vamp has more self-control than I thought he would,” Bernard said. “The boys and I had a bet going about how long it would take him to feed on your girl. Looks like I’m out of the pool already, but the way he licked the blood off his finger, I don’t think it’ll be too much longer.” He chuckled. “Young vamps. Gotta love ’em. They are so unpredictable.”

Rafir looked away from the screen. He would die with them if he could. Why couldn’t it be him in the cage with Alex? He’d have already fed him and fucked him and helped him to gain control, but Julia wouldn’t, and it would be their undoing.

“Huh,” Bernard grunted. “I didn’t see that coming.”

Rafir’s gaze snapped to the screen. Julia and Alex were kissing.