Page 90 of Those That Are Lost

I sit and just absorb everything. Watching the dynamics between the males, I realise how quickly they’ve gelled. I know Henry has been friends with Ty for decades, and Antares for several years too, but Mitch and I are newcomers. And despite their rocky start, Antares and Ty seem to have formed a kind of friendship. It might be one where they sling insults at each other still but it's not with any malice anymore, it's simply their dynamic, and I secretly think they love it. We’ve been brought together through various connections, but the five of us already feel like agang, rather than the mate, or the friend, of the core members.

It's the way Mitch lands a hand on Antares when he passes him after showering, telling him the bathroom’s free. It’s the way Henry and Ty pour out the blood into glasses together once everyone is clean and seated on the sofas. It’s the way they all genuinely care that we pull off this plan as we run over it one more time.

My certainty in the decision Ty and I mulled over this afternoon gets all the stronger.

As we drink, we go over a map of the layout of the ranch house and surrounding land that Ty drew up for us. Ty and Mitch quiz us on the pack members, ensuring we know every name, face, and power in Adicious’s pack. It starts as a serious revision session but descends into a competition and eventually into topics of conversation completely away from the subject at hand.

At a lull, I send a question down the bond to my mate.

‘Now?’he responds, eyes flicking to meet my gaze.

‘Why not?’

Ty gives me an adoring look before clearing his throat. The conversation ceases as they all give him their attention.

“There’s one other thing we wanted to ask before tomorrow.” Ty links his fingers through mine, putting the empty glass he’d been holding on the table. He gives my hand a squeeze as three expectant faces all look our way.

‘You ask,’Ty encourages.

“Well,” I say, stumbling a little. “We wondered if you would want to join us. Like, officially.”

“As in form a pack?” Henry answers as Antares eyebrows hit his hairline.

“Yes,” Ty confirms. “We’ve been discussing it for a while. We’re so incredibly grateful for all of your help in this plan.” He scans each male. “We are aware of the danger you’reputting yourselves in and we want to offer you some kind of protection.”

“So, this is just for the mission?” Antares fires. His posture has gone a little rigid.

“No. No, not at all,” I jump in. “We want you all to be the first in our pack. We want you guys to be with us beyond the next few weeks.”

“I’m touched.” Henry’s response strikes me as formal, and not like he’s going to accept.

“You’re touched? I’ve never been asked to be in a pack before. I’m about to cry.” Antares leaps from the couch and launches himself at us. He lands across us both on the sofa, nearly winding me. I embrace him whilst Ty gives him a pat on the shoulder. “You really mean it?”

“Yes, you’ve grown on me, you little dipshit.” Ty softens towards the male currently holding the both of us in a vice-like grip. He really is strong, considering he’s basically the same height as me.

Antares bounces back, nearly falling over the coffee table and wipes his cheeks as he goes. He stares down at Henry. “You’re not rejecting them, surely?”

“No.” Henry turns to us. “At least, I don’t want to. I’m under contract here though. The university expects another year of teaching out of me, at least.”

“Well, you can do that. Just because you’re bonded doesn’t mean we will force you to live with us. Assuming we take over the ranch, that will be our base and there will always be space for you there. Would you consider transferring to Froan when your contract is up?”

“Yes, I think so. Depending on what allowances they would give for my research, and my author requirements.”

“Then do it. We won’t hold you hostage. But it would be great to be on the same team again.” Ty’s words have mefeeling emotional. I guess he and Henry have been through a lot together, this would cement the bond they share.

I notice Mitch sitting quietly.

“We would love to have you too,” I tell him.

“But I’m still bonded to Adicious.” The sadness on his face is enough to convey his thoughts.

“Once you’re free, and we will be ensuring you get free, will you join us?”

“I would love to. Adicious is the only leader I’ve known as a vampire, but I can see how things should be run. How you two will run a pack, it’ll be a hundred times better than what’s going on right now.” I see the hope return to his eyes for a second before another emotion flits across his features. It’s quick and I don’t decipher it before it’s replaced with sadness once more.

“Right, are we doing this then?” Antares is already holding his wrist out to Ty.

“It’s the other way round.” Ty shakes his head. “I have to willingly let you drink from me. I have to open my own veins to you.”