They spun and glared at Keata and Johnny, who were laughing hysterically on the couch.
The two shot off the couch and down the hall, racing to Maverick’s office. They ran through the door and straight behind Maverick’s chair.
“What’s going on?” Maverick turned to the two and asked.
Just then Cecil and Oliver came running into the room.”You two.” Cecil growled and pointed at them.
“What the fuck?” Maverick looked over at the painted pair.
“They smeared the controllers with face paint and waited for unsuspecting victims to use them,” Oliver snapped.
“Go clean up. I’ll have a talk with these two.” Keata watched Cecil and Oliver storm from the room. He gulped when the Alpha turned to them. Were they going to be punished?
A wide grin broke out across the wolf’s face. “Good one.” He held his hands out, palms up. “Give me five.” Keata watched Johnny slap Maverick’s hand, so he did the same.
“Don’t let them catch you.” He laughed.
Keata’s Promise
55
Chapter Five
Cody’s jaw tightened as he searched the Den for Keata. It wasn’t like his mate to not be in his bedroom, the den, or the kitchen, his three favorite rooms. The wolf even checked the backyard, the other bedrooms, the front yard, and the dining room.
His anxiety grew by the minute when he didn’t spot any of the other mate’s around.
Cody was livid by the time he jogged into Maverick’s office. “I can’t find Keata anywhere, none of the mates, and one of the SUVs is missing.”
Maverick’s fist slammed down on his mahogany desk. “Dammit, Cecil. Did Gunnar install those GPS tracking devices like I asked?”
“Don’t know, but I’m about to find out.” Cody ran from the office and searched the rooms until he found Gunnar in the library. He would die if something happened to Keata. His mate was too trusting, too naïve. What if he trusted the wrong person and something happened to him? Shit, his heart was in his throat.
“Gunnar, did you get those GPS tracking devices installed?” Cody asked out of breath.
“Yeah, why?”
“Mates and one of the SUVs are gone.”
“Dammit, Cecil.” Gunnar tossed his book aside and pushed up from the couch. “Let’s go.”
* * * *
The mates chattered excitedly as Blair drove them to the club. He
56
Lynn Hagen
cranked the music up to get the party started as the mates chatted excitedly. Oliver and Cecil began dancing in their seats, bobbing their heads, and waving their arms in the air.
“This fun.” Keata giggled from behind Blair. He smiled, glad to see Keata happy again. He snickered when he thought of what Oliver had told him about the little guys’ prank. No harm, no foul. Cecil and Oliver agreed to let it go, for now.
Blair watched the city lights come into view, and his heart began to race. He loved where he lived now, but sometimes cabin fever threatened to choke the shit out of him.
He pulled into a parking spot next to the club and parked the SUV. Everyone buzzed louder with excitement as they climbed out.
Blair raised his hand to quiet them down. “Okay, everyone pair up. No one is to dance with anyone but another mate. Got it?” he instructed them.
“I want Keata.” Johnny bounced on his heels, grabbing Keata’s hand tight. Keata nodded his approval as he beamed up at Blair and held his and Johnny’s hand up to show they were together.
“Okay. Cecil, you’re with Drew and Oliver. I’ll take Kyoshi.” Once everyone gathered with who they were supposed to be with, they headed into the club.
The music was thumping, pop music drowning everything out as the mates pushed their way onto the dance floor. Blair couldn’t believe how packed it was. He worried that the smaller mate’s would get lost, so he pulled Kyoshi closer and kept an eye on the others.
He started dancing with Kyoshi as Oliver threw his hands up and let Drew and Cecil dance around him. It was good to see Oliver so happy.
“Aw hell, this is my song.” Drew jumped around like he was being hit with resuscitation paddles shocking him back to life. His lips twisted in concentration, trying his best to look hard core.
Blair threw his head back and laughed as Keata and Johnny tried their best to sing along with Jeremiah. They were so off key and off
Keata’s Promise
57
lyric he was waiting for the artist to come into the club and snatch his club mix back.
“Dude, you have to hush them. It sounds like animals are dying in here.” Cecil grinned from ear to ear.
“I hear you.” Keata stuck his hand up to tell Cecil to speak to it.
“Give dap.” He held his fist up to Blair.
Blair’s mouth hung open, but he gave it to Keata.
The guy mates and now he’s corrupted? Or is his true sparkling personality coming through?
Blair bounced his shoulders, rocking back and forth, getting his groove on. Cecil moved in front of him, and the pair set the dance floor on fire.
It had been too long since Blair had this much fun. The club felt like a breathing entity as they danced their hearts out.
They stayed exceptionally close to Keata and Johnny, the smallest and most naïve of the mates, or so Blair thought.
Kyoshi was shorter than Johnny, but he was too smart to fall for anything anyone may try. Blair watched him dance and giggled to himself. Kyoshi tried his best to glide around and shake his booty.
After the second song, Keata and Johnny panted that they were thirsty. Blair and Kyoshi pushed through the throng of bodies as they made their way to the bar. Blair held his hand up until the bartender acknowledged him.
“Seven orange sodas please.”
The bartender stared at him strangely. “You do know you’re in a club?”
“Yeah, so?” Blair glared at him.
“Seven orange sodas it is.” The bartender filled the glasses with ice then sprayed the orange soda into each glass.
Blair pulled his wallet out, but the guy raised his hand. “On the house.” He winked at Blair.
Blair shoved his wallet back into his pocket then grabbed the glasses along with Kyoshi. He knew the guy was flirting, but Blair
58
Lynn Hagen
wouldn’t fool around on Dakota in a million years. He thanked the man then pushed back through with drinks in hand.
Keata and Johnny drank their sodas down until they sucked air.
“Thanks.” Johnny handed his glass back to Blair as did Keata then they began to flounder around again. Blair arched an eyebrow at them. These two needed to get some rhythm in their lives.
“I can help with those.”
Blair turned to see a slim man standing beside him. His hair was jet black and hung to his shoulders. His skin was pale and his eyes…glowing red. What the fuck? Blair took a step back, his instincts yelling at him to grab the mates and run like hell.
“I–I got it.” He and Kyoshi took the empty glasses back to the bar and sat them down, rejoining the other mates once more. The guy was gone, but Blair still had an urge to get out of there.
They danced a few more songs, changing partners, and enjoyed the night. Keata threw his hands in the air and rocked his hips unsteadily from side to side, not matching the beat, as Johnny danced circles around him doing the robot. Blair laughed when they kept bumping into each other. Oliver was trying to dirty dance with Kyoshi, but the little mate kept punching Oliver in the gut when he got too close. Oliver laughed, and so did Blair.
Blair could have sworn Drew was doing some sort of body wave, or having a seizure, as Cecil danced his ass off. The Alpha’s mate had some rhythm and moves to his little self.
Blair swayed his hips as he circled Oliver and then the brothers started dancing together.
The man with glowing eyes stepped back to Blair, trying to grab his hips and dance behind him.
“He’s with me.” Oliver stepped up and grabbed Blair from the stranger’s clutches.
The stranger glared menacing at Oliver but stepped back.
“I think we need to go,” Blair whispered into Oliver’s ear. Oliver nodded. They gathered the rest of the mates, heading for the door
Keata’s Promise
59
when the stranger grabbed Blair by his wrist, stopping him from leaving.
“Let him go,” Johnny shouted and smacked the guy’s arm.
The stranger hissed, his fangs gleaming in the club lights.
“Oh shit,” Blair yelled as he tried to yank his arm free. What the fuck was this dude?
The stranger pulled Blair into his arms as Blair struggled to get free.
“Let him go.”
Blair suddenly fell to his ass as he looked up to see Dakota’s hand wrapped around the stranger’s throat. Three more fanged men had joined the stranger. Maverick, Hawk, and Cody stood in front of them, daring them to interfere.
Murdock, Tank, Gunnar, and Ludo tried to get the mates out, but five more fanged men crossed their arms over their chests and blocked the door.
The warriors pulled the mates into a tight formation, blocking them from the fanged men.
“Enough!”
Blair looked up to see a suave man saunter forward. He had on crisp slacks and a flowing black silk shirt. His raven dark hair stopped a little past his shoulders, and his eyes glowed like the rest of the men surrounding them.
“What is the meaning of this?” the suave stranger asked.
Blair pointed to the man who harassed him. “He won’t leave me alone.”
The suave stranger looked down to the man in question.
“I want him.” The stranger hissed.
“He’s my mate.” Dakota clenched his hand tighter around the guy’s throat.
“Ah, I was not aware there was a wolf pack in the area.” The suave stranger stepped closer.
“And you are?” Maverick matched his steps, standing his full six
60
Lynn Hagen
nine height.
“I am Prince Christian, and this is my coven. I assume you are their Alpha?” Christian nodded toward the warriors.
“I am.” Maverick nodded.
“Christo, you have an apology to make.” Christian glared at the vampire that had tried to claim Blair.
“I did not know, Christian.” The man bowed his head, or tried to, around Dakota’s hand at his throat.
“You are?” Christian turned back to Maverick.
“I am Maverick Brac, Alpha of the Brac Pack.” He extended his hand, and Christian shook it.
“Are there any more packs that I should be aware of?” Christian released Maverick’s hand.
“Yes, the Eastern pack is run by Zeus.”
“My apologies. My men were not aware of you. They will be now. On my honor you have my word that no mate shall be touched.
Please, stay. Enjoy.” Christian pulled Christo from Dakota and threw him toward the back of the bar. “He will be dealt with for encroaching on your mate.” Christian inclined his head toward Dakota.
“Thank you.” Maverick inclined his. “Our ancient scrolls tell us that you live in South America.”
“We have expanded.” Christian splayed his arms wide. “But no fear, your mates are safe.”
* * * *
Cody pulled Keata to his side, his mind whirling at the idea that vampires existed.
“She is safe as well, wolf.” Christian eyed Keata.
“He.” Cody corrected him.
“Really? He is very beautiful.” Christian looked at Keata a little more closely, making Cody’s hairs rise.
“He’s
my
mate
,” Cody clarified with a snarl.
Keata’s Promise
61
“And he is safe as well, on my honor.” Christian walked away with Maverick, deep in conversation. The other vampires moved away slowly, allowing the warriors to pull the mates from the club.
Keata shook in Cody’s arms. “He no take me?” his mate asked as he clung to Cody.
“No one is taking you from me, Keata.” Cody didn’t trust the look Christian had given Keata. He was going to be sure Keata stayed by his side.
* * * *
“You have to be careful, Keata. You can’t leave without telling me. I must know where you are at, at all times. Don’t go anywhere else with the mates without telling me. Don’t go anywhere with one of the warriors without telling me. I don’t want you wandering outside either,” Cody rambled on. Keata just blinked at him, trying his best to understand what Cody was saying.
“Ugh.” Cody grabbed Keata’s hand and pulled him from the room, walking down the hall and knocking on Storm’s door.
Storm arched an eyebrow when he saw the frazzled look on Cody’s face. “I need to talk to your mate.” The large warrior stepped aside and waved them in. Kyoshi was over by the dresser, putting clean laundry away.
He ran over to Keata and hugged him, speaking in his native tongue.
“I saw the way that nasty vampire was staring at you. You
must go nowhere without your mate. Understand me, Keata? I don’t
want you running off with Cecil or anyone else, not even Tank or
Loco. Okay?”
“Okay. Are there really vampires?”
Keata looked at Kyoshi with wide eyes.
“
It appears so. Promise me, Keata. Nowhere without Cody.”
He squeezed Keata’s forearms.
“
I promise. They scare me.”
Keata gulped.
62
Lynn Hagen
“Can you tell Keata not to go anywhere without me knowing, not even with other mates or warriors?” Cody ran his hand through his hair.
“Already did. He promised not to. You really love him, don’t you?” Keata stared up at Cody.
“With every breath I take, Kyoshi. I would never let anything happen to him.” Cody pulled Keata into his arms.
Kyoshi nodded. “Fair enough. I’ll back off. I just love him so much.”
“I know. He’s in good hands.” Cody thanked Kyoshi and Storm then took Keata to their room.
* * * *
“I have called this meeting of all Sentries and mates to make you aware, as I’m sure you are, that vampires have moved into the area. I knew they existed, but they were far enough south for so many centuries I didn’t think them a problem.” Maverick leaned back against the pool table. The mates sat on the warriors’ laps while the unmated warriors stood behind the couches in the den.