Page 35

Chapter 35

A dler didn’t like this. He loathed that his mate was here, but Maxim had decided it was okay to take Gordon and then Gordon had decided it was okay to take himself, and now here they were. Possibly about to fight another vampire as powerful as Maxim if such a thing existed.

Our killer doesn’t like people like us, doesn’t like that we belong together, that the mate bite has made it an undeniable fact . Adler was hyper focused on Gordon, and ready to defend him at a moment’s notice. He was glad for Gordon’s hand on his back, like a warm lifeline that let him know exactly where his mate was.

The two of them did their best to ascend the stairs as quietly as Maxim did. When they reached the door, a solid, wooden thing, Adler nodded and tapped his nose, mouthed blood. It was stronger here, so strong that Adler was almost sure Maxim’s and Gordon’s vampire senses should be able to pick up on it too. The hunter nodded.

A few seconds ticked by. Adler could tell Maxim, the alpha here, was considering the best path forward, and Adler was happy to wait. Behind him though, his mate shifted to get a better look.

Don’t be curious, let the alpha move us forward, he thought, worried to say the words out loud or turn in case that would attract attention from whoever was behind that door and inside the apartment.

Gordon stopped as if he’d heard the thought, giving Adler a sense of relief. Pride too, because if he was being honest, Gordon existing made Adler proud these days.

Moments passed, and the small noises of Maxim’s tool charming the lock made Adler fear they’d be discovered, would have to fight, but then he heard the metallic click of the tumblers, and the door cracked open.

Adler wanted to see who was inside, but he looked at the ground instead, no matter how ridiculous that made him feel. Maxim beckoned for them to follow and silently stepped inside ahead of them. He was a ghost in black the way he moved, just a blond shadow with knives in his hands.

The door opened to a wide, tidy hallway with art on the walls that looked too modern for an old lady’s taste. The walls were white, and everything seemed bright. The only thing that clashed with that was the scent of blood that still hung in Adler’s nose.

There were doors to the left and right, and Maxim, now ahead of them, had walked past an archway that looked like it opened to a wider space, living or dining maybe.

As Maxim continued on, the door to Adler’s left opened, and all of a sudden, he found himself looking into the face of a handsome, fair-skinned man with dark curls. From his scent, he was a wolf, and instead of showing aggression or screaming, he smiled at them, not appearing to notice Maxim behind him.

“Good morning.” He was wiping his hand with a towel. Adler smelled something chemical though he couldn’t place it.

“The door was open, and I smelled blood,” Adler said. “Did you hurt yourself?”

He’s going to know we broke in here, but we have to buy Maxim time. And I can take this one. I can keep my mate safe from one wolf, no problem.

Maxim, his black form moving onward in the corner of Adler’s eyes, seemed to think the same thing.

The strange werewolf smiled at him. It was the oddest expression, his face, while handsome, appearing vacant.

“You have a good nose. I was developing my photos in there. It’s my dark room, kind of old school, I know. My scissors slipped. It happens. You smelled that from all the way at the other side of the door huh?”

Oh, shit.

Something about the guy made Adler’s skin turn into goose bumps. Maybe it was the tiny, almost unnoticeable note of disdain in his voice or maybe it was the way he stood, something about his body language just off for a wolf. Then again, maybe it was just that there was not a single cut or nick on his hands.

Faintly, Adler heard the sound of movement from further back in the apartment, a door being opened, footsteps, shuffling. And he picked up another scent. His eyes widening.

Then the handsome wolf cocked his head, and Adler realized Gordon had moved. The strange wolf was looking right at him.

“Ah. You with the blue hair. It’s really pretty. I wanted to tell you, but he said I couldn’t, not yet.”

The words made Adler run hot and cold all at once. He had no time to react.

The wolf in front of him shifted . Without the full moon.

“Irregular day shifter,” Adler hissed and took a step back so he could push Gordon away from the teeth and claws that were breaking free from human skin and clothing with a vicious snarl.

The wolf was gray, darker on his back, lighter under and around his belly and paws. He was large, showing his teeth.

If his body language had been off in human form, this was clear as fresh spring water.

Last night, Adler could have taken him, but as he was, it would be tough.

“Fuck,” Gordon said, and the wolf jumped at them.