Page 33 of Those That Are Lost

“Still…” I have nothing logical to say.

“Still, she’s yours. I think we all felt that message loud and clear.”

Good.

“Are you going to take back your pack lands for her?”

Thatgrabs my full attention.I take my eyes off Red and look at the guy I’d once considered an honorary uncle with how close he and his mate were to my parents. The laughter lines starting to form at the creases of his eyes wrinkle at my expression.

I huff. “Me and what army? They’re over a dozen strong. I can’t fight them and win.”

“But you have considered it?”

“Of course I have, but it's too dangerous.”

“What about Henry? You seem close.”

“What about him? He’s a good friend, we fought together in the war.” I feel I know where this is leading.

“He could be your first bonded.” Eetu folds his arms across his chest, eyebrows raising, telling me he thinks I’m being obtuse. I’m not. It has crossed my mind. But for the sake of trying to end this conversation, I will act like it.

“Form a pack with him? Still not enough to win a fight.”

“Maybe not, but if you don’t start, you’ll never reach the numbers you need. Plus, when you take your mate, you’re going to need a pack to protect the pair of you. It’ll get out sooner or later that there is a new female vampire, she’s going to be coveted by every unmated male with fangs on the continent.” His switch in tactic has my own fangs throbbing with bloodlust.

“Don't you think I know that?” I say, teeth clenched.

“So, why not build yourself some protection?” He really isn’t letting this go.

“Because who’s going to want to join me? I have no lands, a giant target on my back, and probably a freaking bounty on my head too. I can’t offer anything.”

“Ty, we both know that’s not true.” His hand comes to my knee.

We sit in silence for a couple of minutes, my brain swirling with stupid ideas. Useless ideas that he’s unleashing with this damn conversation.

“I bet he would if you asked. I bet there’s more than one in your old pack who are fed up with how it's being run currently. And I’m not just talking about Atlas.”

Atlas…Another thing I’d fucked up. I’m the reason he bonded into the pack with Adicious as the ruler. Then I’d abandoned him. I hope he’s surviving back in Froan.

“You know about Atlas too? Is there like a secret network of video cameras you have set up or something?”

“Or something.” He irritatingly doesn’t explain further.

“Even if Henry bonded to me, and Atlas could defect, it's still not enough to take out Adicious and those loyal to him.” I sound like a broken record at this point.

“Then ask for help, Ty.”

What?

“That’s delusionally cryptic.”

“Do you believe in fated mates?” My blood pounds in my skull as I try to keep up.

“For us?” I seek clarification, eyebrows raised. He nods and gestures for me to answer. “No, I don’t. I know the Fae lament on aboutfeelinga physical pull, but I’ve never heard a vampire say the same. As far as I know, the wolves work similarly to us, we choose our mates.”

“Do you not think the magic has any sway?”

“No, I have no idea how it works, but from those I’ve spoken to, they’ve met and fallen in love without the use of magic.”