Page 37 of Those That Are Lost (Hidden Vampires #2)

I’m not so naive to think that she won’t suffer from panic attacks anymore, that there won’t be days where she struggles.

Hell, she had a massive attack a few weeks ago.

But I can see how the time here with the wolfpack has helped her overall.

There have been days, or hours, where I’ve noticed her be more reserved, not wishing to join in.

From our connection I can tell those are the days she’s battling her own mind, but I see her also being completely open and free.

Her walls are being let down completely for periods of time and I see her gaining strength and confidence once more.

And even through the tougher days, she doesn’t shut me out anymore. Instead, we go off together and get her some space. I love her so unconditionally I will always be a pillar if she needs support, and a safety net when she soars, just in case.

There’s a knock at the door, pulling both our attention.

“Can I come in?” Theodora’s head appears as the door opens.

“Of course, this is your office after all.” I push my chair back a little to gesture her into the room. Red puts her pen down and spins to face the matriarch.

“I was hoping to have a quiet word with you both.” She comes to perch on the edge of the sofa perpendicular to the desk. “And I brought you these in case you wanted them.” She places two small vials on the edge of the wooden top between us.

It's the contraceptive tonic.

“Thank you.” Red reaches for one. “We were going to go out in a bit and get some. ”

“I know how strong a mate bond can be when it first snaps into place. I was in town earlier and picked them up.”

“Yes, thank you.” I grab the remaining vial, twist the top to break the seal and down it in one swallow.

“Remember it takes twelve hours to take effect.” Theodora reminds us both as Red downs hers too and I record the time.

‘ This might be a long twelve hours.’ I think as I stare at my mate.

‘Agreed.’ Red’s resigned voice pops into my head.

“Now that’s sorted, I wanted to make sure you’re both okay after this morning. I would hate for you to leave us with any ill feelings.” Theodora looks forlorn as she addresses us, clearly hurt thinking her family had upset us.

“I’m sorry I lashed out,” Red tells her, leaning back in her chair.

“That’s the only bit I’m not sorry for. Those pups need telling off sometimes.”

“I was shocked and angry they’d pushed Ty that far, even if it did lead us to doing what we should’ve weeks ago.” Red shoots me a quick small smile. “Don’t worry, I hold no hard feelings towards your meddling pack.”

I reach across to take my mate’s hand in mine, needing to touch her.

“You weren’t ready then, neither of you. I saw that on the night you arrived. But I knew you would be mates sooner or later. Have you been through everything with her Ty?” she directs at me.

“Yes, Red is up to speed with all my plans now. And on board with most, I think.” I give Red’s hand a squeeze and stroke her knuckles, pride blossoming at her quick dedication to catch up.

“Have you figured out how to get close to Adicious yet?”

“That’s the part I’m still stuck on. We need to get onto the pack lands unnoticed. It’s not impossible, but we have to be extremely careful. We’ll work on it.”

“Remember that we’ve offered to help when you’ve figured it out. We can’t do much if you act quickly but if you’re willing to wait another month or so we might be able to do more.”

“That’s very cryptic of you.” I tilt my head at the woman I trust most in this world, beside the one now distractingly running her thumb over the palm of my hand.

“I can’t say more, I’m afraid, but please keep us informed of your plans.”

“We will,” I tell her honestly.

“Good.” She pats her hands to her thighs before standing. Instead of heading for the door, she comes over to the desk, rummaging in one of the drawers for a few seconds and pulling out a phone which she hands it to me.

“Use this as you wish. It’s as secure as we can make it, which makes it pretty damn impenetrable.

It’s also got a number stored that you can use to contact us.

It might not be myself or Eetu that answers but you can trust anyone who picks up the call.

Ask a question only they’ll know to make sure it’s not been compromised but it should be totally safe. ”

I take the device from her, looking it over. Theodora shows me the password and then the security functions. I fiddle around with a few of the settings, checking it out for myself. It's military grade, and completely impenetrable.

“We can escort you to the ferry tomorrow as well,” Theodora says, heading for the door this time. “Make sure to get a good night's sleep, those boats are not the most gentle crossing at this time of year.” She leaves us, the door clicking shut as she exits.

‘That was both helpful and confusing.’ Red reopens her notepad, leaving my hand bereft of her touch on the table.

‘I guess we’ll find out soon.’ I pocket the phone, turning it off first. ‘I can wait a few weeks more if it means we have more backup in facing those pricks. ’

‘Indeed.’

‘What was that tone?’

‘How are we going to do it? Get close enough to them to kill them without dying in the process.’

‘Guess that’s what we need to figure out in the next few weeks. Once we get to Scotia we’ll be pretty holed up in Henry’s apartment, the vampires residing there will mean we can’t go out any more than necessary or we’ll risk exposing our location.’

‘Do you think we would be better staying here? There’s not been any hint of the pack from Froan.’

I wince internally.

‘Ty?’

‘There was one sighting.’

‘What? When?’

‘Not long after we got here. Two of them landed at the docks, searched a few of the closest islands and then left. It was just as the snow was properly settling in, I think they didn’t like the cold as they left pretty quickly.’

‘You didn’t tell me.’

‘I didn’t want to worry you. They left within a couple of days and the wolves had eyes on them at all times. They never came close. But I think they’ll be back soon now the solstice is over and the weather will start to improve.’

‘Okay, so Scotia it is.’

‘Yes, and as I think Henry might accept our offer, I don’t wish to leave him exposed either.’

‘You still want him even after he tricked me into biting him?’

‘Yes… believe it or not it's not the first stunt he’s pulled like that. Bloody idiot needs reminding sometimes that we’re not characters in his stories he can manipulate.

But he will be good for the pack, should he wish to join.

It might be good for him to, he’s been without one his entire existence as a vampire. Unless you object?’

‘No. I’d love for him to stick around, he’s a great guy. And who else can I nerd out with? ’

Red simply laughs as I bristle at her description of my friend. As much as I can now tell, because of the bond, that her feelings for him are firmly platonic I still don’t like her using ‘love’ and any other name in the same sentence.

Stretching in my seat, I may purposefully flex my tight shoulders a little more than necessary. Still, I enjoy the way Red’s mind empties and how she sucks her lower lip between her teeth.

“Come on, let's finish for the night.” I tell her, standing and coming to her side of the desk, offering her my hand. “The pack is probably eating about now, we should join them for one last meal and get an early night. We can pack this lot up in the morning before we leave.”

Red puts her pen as a marker in her notepad before closing it and taking my hand. I pull her into me and kiss her deeply before we head out in search of the others. I’m going to miss the peace we’ve found here but hopefully it won’t be long before we’ve set up our own, back home.