“We’ll discuss it after the meeting.”
“Oh, you bet we will,” she promised.
Unnerved, he led the way into the park, lifting his head to take in the place’s scent. Aside from the overpowering smell of saltwater, the heady rush of thousands of humans’ scents swirled together, mixed with car exhaust, dead fish, tree sap, decaying leaves, and a whole host of other city-related smells. Closing his eyes, he concentrated on the fresher ones, seeking the sweet musk of Were.
The wind was blowing the wrong way, but the trace of two Weres who had passed where he was standing gave him a point of scent-reference to follow. He glanced around, searching.
There. Against the rail overlooking the water and, distantly, Ellis Island. Four distinctive figures waited; three in the light cast by a streetlamp and one in shadow. The four figures turned to look as he and Analie made their way across the grass, one raising a hand in a friendly wave. Rohrik Donovan.
When they got closer, Rohrik stepped forward to take Christoph’s hand in a firm shake, inclining his head in greeting. He was nearly as muscular as Christoph, just as tall, and carried himself with the cool assurance of a born leader. Older than the other pack leaders, his black hair was sprinkled with streaks of white. Despite his age, there was no doubting the strength behind his grip or the power of presence he commanded.
“Christoph of Clan Goliath, thank you for coming. May I introduce Chaz Hallbrook, leader of the Sunstriker pack, and Nathan Hutchinson of the Ravenwood pack.” The other two men offered their hands, shaking Christoph’s own before turning to face the girl.
“And you must be Analie.”
She nodded mutely, having completely forgotten the whole speech of greeting she’d rehearsed when Rohrik gazed upon on her. His smile about melted her down to her toes, even if he did look old enough to be her grandfather. He radiated the pure surety and ease of one who was born to be alpha rather than the contained violence of someone who fought their way to the top. Not to mention she found herself a bit star-struck to meet the Were who had started the chain reaction of letting Others find an open place in human society face-to-face.
When he put out his hand, hers trembled as she shook the influential Were’s. He didn’t seem to notice.
“Thank you for coming, my dear. Excuse me, I’d almost forgotten. We have another guest here tonight.”
Christoph’s head came up in alarm as he glanced at the fourth person who’d stood somewhat apart, waiting in the shadows. This wasn’t part of the arrangements.
“Christoph, Analie, please meet Alec Royce. We asked him to come tonight to see if what they say about your younger pack members being blind to the presence of vampires was myth or reality.”
Christoph took an involuntary step back and Analie paled as the vampire moved into the light. He’d left his ruined jacket behind, but his slacks and white button-down shirt looked relatively clean after the scuffle. His smile was fierce as his black eyes focused on Christoph, the promise of pain to come written in his expression.
“Oh, no worries about introductions, Rohrik. We’ve already met.”
Chapter 2
Christoph’s gaze shifted back and forth between the slightly puzzled leader of the Moonwalker pack and the angry, anticipatory look of the vampire. This was not good.
“Is there a problem?” Rohrik asked, wondering if Christoph was looking so panicked because of the vampire or because of the change in plans.
There was natural enmity between vampires and werewolves, but that had been set aside on the East coast for the common good of all Others. The leaders of the different races and packs wouldn’t go out for beers together, but they’d collaborate on projects and changes that would affect the territories of any local supernaturals involved. They’d formed the loose alliance after a crazy sorcerer-mage had attempted to kill or enslave them all. Such a treaty didn’t exist between the Others in southern California, where the Goliath pack was from.
“Alec won’t harm you, if that’s what you’re worried about,” Nathan said. “He’s only here for negotiations like the rest of us.”
“That’s right,” the vampire purred, the silken promise in his voice sending a shudder down Christoph and Analie’s spines. “We have much to discuss. Things like apologies and reparations, in addition to limitations to be imposed on their pack before any more of them enter our land.”
One of the other pack leaders, Chaz, raised a brow. “What for? Nobody