Page 23 of Claws for Celebration (Hollow Oak Mates #3)

LUCIEN

T he vampire probes had begun at dusk, subtle tests of Hollow Oak's defensive perimeter that would have been invisible to anyone without enhanced supernatural senses.

Lucien crouched at the eastern lookout point, his panther's night vision tracking movement in the forest below while his human mind analyzed tactical patterns that made his blood run cold.

"They're methodical," Callum observed, settling beside him with the silent grace of a predator born. "Testing response times, mapping weak points, cataloging our defensive assets."

"Professional hunters," Lucien agreed, watching a shadow detach itself from a cluster of trees only to melt back into darkness when one of their patrol units approached. "Viktor wasn't exaggerating about their resources."

"How's the protective grid holding up?"

Lucien consulted the communication device that linked him to patrol teams stationed around Hollow Oak's perimeter.

"Maeve reports three attempted incursions on the southern border, all repelled.

Emmett's team has had similar activity on the western approaches.

But they're not trying to break through yet. "

"Just gathering intelligence for when they make their real move," Callum said with the weary authority of someone who'd faced vampire covens before. "How long do you think we have?"

"Not long enough." Lucien's hands clenched as he thought about Moira back at the bookstore, surrounded by protective barriers of her own creation while she worked with the local witches to understand her rapidly developing abilities.

"She needs weeks of training, and we're probably talking about hours before they escalate to direct assault. "

"What does your mate think about the timeline?"

The casual use of the word 'mate' made Lucien's gut twist with emotions he was still learning to process. "She doesn't know how dire the situation is. I've been trying to balance honesty with not overwhelming her, but..."

"But she's going to figure it out anyway because she's not stupid," Callum finished with characteristic bluntness. "Lucien, hiding the full scope of the threat from her isn't protecting her. It's handicapping her ability to make informed decisions."

"I know that. Logically, I know that." Lucien ran his hands through his shoulder-length black hair, frustrated by the constant war between his protective instincts and his tactical training.

"But my panther wants to lock her in the safest place I can find and guard her until every threat is eliminated. "

"And your human side?"

"My human side is terrified that telling her the complete truth will make her try something heroically stupid that gets her killed." Lucien's voice dropped to barely above a whisper. "I can't lose her, Callum. Not when I've just found her."

"Then don't let fear make you treat her like she's fragile. From what I've observed, your mate is anything but delicate."

His communication device crackled with urgent static before he could reply. "Alpha team, this is Maeve. We've got movement at the main entrance. Three vampires approaching under a white flag."

"Viktor wants to talk," Callum said grimly. "That's either very good news or very bad news."

"With vampires, it's usually bad news wrapped in polite conversation." Lucien activated his communicator. "All units, maintain positions but do not engage unless they make hostile moves. We're en route to the main checkpoint."

The descent from the lookout point to Hollow Oak's downtown core took them through forest paths that had been traveled by supernatural guardians for generations. But tonight, familiar routes felt charged with tension that made Lucien's panther pace restlessly beneath his skin.

"You know they're going to demand to speak with her directly," Callum said as they approached the town center where streetlights cast golden pools across cobblestone streets.

"I know. And I know she's going to insist on participating in whatever negotiation Viktor has in mind.

" Lucien's jaw clenched as they neared the bookstore, its windows glowing with the warm light of Moira's protective barriers.

"My every instinct says to keep her away from him, but my training says we need to hear what he's offering. "

"What do you think he wants?"

"Proof that we can't protect her. Evidence that joining his coven is her only option for survival.

" Lucien paused at the bookstore's front door, steeling himself for the conversation that would determine whether his mate spent the night safely learning magical control or facing down an ancient predator who viewed her as a prize to be claimed.

"He's going to exploit every weakness in our defensive posture and every gap in her magical training. "

"Then we make sure he doesn't find any weaknesses to exploit."

They entered the bookstore to find Moira seated at her usual table, the Shadowheart Codex open before her while golden threads of magic danced between her fingers. The sight of her practicing conscious spellwork filled Lucien with pride and terror in equal measure.

"How's the training progressing?" he asked, settling into the chair beside her while his panther purred at being close to their mate again.

"Terrifyingly well," Moira replied with a rueful smile. "Turns out three generations of suppressed Shadowheart power creates quite a lot of magical energy to work with. Cordelia thinks I might be ready to attempt basic ward reinforcement within a few days."

"That's incredible progress," Callum said, though his expression remained serious. "Unfortunately, we might not have a few days."

"What do you mean?"

Lucien exchanged a look with Callum before answering. "The vampires have been testing our defenses all evening. Viktor is here now, requesting a meeting under a flag of truce."

"A meeting about what?"

"You," Lucien said simply. "He wants to make his case directly, probably hoping to convince you that we can't provide adequate protection."

Moira’s brown eyes reflected the weight of decisions that would affect far more than just her own future. "And what do you think I should do?"

"I think you should stay here, surrounded by protective barriers and magical backup, while Callum and I handle the negotiation," Lucien said, knowing even as he spoke that she wouldn't accept that solution.

"No," she said firmly. "If Viktor wants to talk to me, then I should hear what he has to say. How else can I make an informed decision about the options available?"

"Moira, vampire covens are master manipulators. They'll tell you exactly what you want to hear while twisting every word to serve their agenda."

"Then it's a good thing I'll have you there to help me recognize manipulation when I hear it.

" Her hand covered his on the table, warm and steady despite the magnitude of what she was agreeing to face.

"Lucien, I appreciate your protective instincts, but I can't let fear of making the wrong choice prevent me from making any choice at all. "

"She's right," Callum said quietly. "Besides, Viktor isn't going to accept anything less than direct communication with her. If we refuse, he'll probably escalate to more aggressive tactics."

Lucien studied Moira's face, noting the determined set of her jaw and the way her magical aura had strengthened since that morning. She wasn't the confused, overwhelmed woman who'd arrived in Hollow Oak two weeks ago. She was becoming something far more formidable.

"All right," he said finally. "But we do this on our terms. Here in the bookstore, surrounded by your protective barriers, with the entire Council present as backup."

"Agreed," Moira said, though he could see the apprehension she was trying to hide behind scholarly curiosity. "When do we meet with him?"

"Now," Callum replied, checking his watch. "He's waiting at the town boundary with his usual dramatic flair."

As they prepared to face the vampire leader who viewed Moira as an asset to be acquired, Lucien found himself caught between contradictory emotions that reflected the impossible complexity of loving someone whose destiny involved supernatural forces beyond their control.

Pride in her courage, terror at the thought of losing her, frustration with his own protective limitations, along with the growing certainty that whatever Viktor offered, whatever threats he made, whatever manipulations he attempted, Moira had already chosen her path.

She'd chosen Hollow Oak. She'd chosen the responsibility of her magical heritage. And most importantly, she'd chosen him.

Now they just had to survive long enough to build the future that choice had made possible.

"Ready?" he asked, offering her his arm as they prepared to leave the safety of her magical barriers.

"As ready as anyone can be for negotiating with vampires who want to turn me into one of them," she replied with the dry humor that had become one of the many things he loved about her. "But yes, let's go find out what Viktor Dracul thinks is worth risking a diplomatic incident over."

As they stepped into the Hollow Oak night, Lucien's panther went on high alert, every sense attuned to potential threats while his human heart focused on the woman beside him who'd proven brave enough to face down impossible odds for the sake of a community that had become her home.

Whatever Viktor had planned, whatever pressure he intended to apply, whatever choice he demanded Moira make, Lucien would be there to ensure she had all the information and support necessary to choose her own destiny.

Even if that destiny involved risks that made his protective instincts scream with alarm.