Chapter One
I lifted my wrist to my mouth and ordered into the microphone there, "Report in."
"1st Street through 16th Street are clear," Soren’s voice answered through my earpiece.
"So are 17th through 30th," Remus added.
"Stay alert and report any suspicious activity immediately."
"Yes, sir," they both answered.
My two best security guards were accompanying me in the city as we searched for a pack of rogue coyote shifters. The police chief contacted me earlier in the evening to ask for assistance when he heard that the group had been seen on the outskirts of town.
We often stepped in to help the police force when paranormal matters were involved. Though we had difficulties in the past, in general, paranormal beings and humans lived in peace, and had for nearly a century. We minded our own business and lived our own lives. But every now and then, an issue arose. In this case, it came in the form of coyote shifters.
Normally, shifters and vampires aren’t so different; we live in covens or packs full of our brethren and focus on our safety and livelihood. But when rogues are involved, all ‘typical’ behavior goes out the window. They are beings who refuse to conform to rules and structure. They answer to no one, and live for chaos and destruction. And that’s where I come in.
I offered my help to the police decades ago. At first, they were unsure about joining forces with a vampire, but after a few rogue attacks caused casualties of their men, they changed their tune. Vampires are stronger, faster, and more resilient than humans, and therefore better equipped to fight other paranormal beings who have many of the same properties.
And so, any time the police reach out to me for assistance, I answer the call. This is my city too, and I am drawn to protect its citizens’ innocent human lives against forces too strong for them to fight. All of the members in my coven under my rule are honor bound to aid and protect.
I have the utmost faith in my security team to protect our people and the people of our city, but I always join them on missions. As Coven Master, I’m stronger than any of my coven, and also have extra talents and abilities ingrained in me as the head of our coven; gifts granted by Fate to allow me to look after my kind.
My earpiece crackled and Soren’s voice came through. “Rogues spotted on East 4th Street chasing a human. I’m in pursuit.”
Damn. I was on the opposite side of town at 47th Street. I replied into my mic, “Remus, meet us there. I’m on my way.”
“Yes, sir.”
Despite the late hour, the roadways were packed with vehicles full of people hustling and bustling as usual. It would be a maze to navigate...but I had a faster way to travel.
I leapt straight up and clung to the building next to me just over the second story window. I quickly scaled the side of the building, my balance and stealth allowing me to move as well vertically as if I were running along the sidewalk.
Once I made it over the ledge and onto the roof, I sprinted at top speed towards the other side and hurdled across the gap to the next rooftop. I vaulted from building to building so quickly, I’d be but a blur to human eyes. I knew every inch of the city, whether I was at ground level or gliding above it.
When I came upon 4th Street, my attention was caught by a snarling group of coyotes in their animal forms, bolting into an alleyway with Soren following closely behind. I plunged off of the roof, dropping between two tall buildings and landing on the ground in a crouch.
Soren was chasing the small pack towards a solid brick wall at the end of the alleyway. Yes! They’ll be trapped. But no such luck; the pack shifted into their human forms to scale up and over the wall.
Great, that’s just what this city needs; a group of butt ass naked men running around causing trouble. I hoped they changed back into their animal forms once they cleared the wall, though I wasn’t sure which would be less shocking for the city’s inhabitants.
Soren leapt over the wall in one bound, and I sprinted towards it...until my feet stopped on their own accord and I nearly fell flat on my face. What the hell? I stood perfectly still and took stock of my surroundings, trying to figure out why my body defied me; I had to be missing something important.
Worried a shifter may be hiding in the shadows, I sniffed the air to detect any traces of the scent. But what I smelled instead sent my heart racing; a faint mixture of the sweetest blood and pheromones I’d ever encountered. The aroma lingered in the air and as it filled my lungs, my body came alive.
The hairs on my neck stood upright as what felt like electricity skittered across my skin. My fangs dropped and burned with the need to bite and claim. My soul rejoiced as my brain buzzed with realization; my mate was near.
Every vampire dreamed of the day they’d meet their mate; the one promised to them by Fate. A vampire’s mate was their perfect match in every way; the answer to every desire, fantasy and need in their heart. After six hundred ninety four years of waiting, I wondered if my desires were too unique to be matched, but Fate had not forsaken me. She’d blessed me with my forever love, and he was only steps from me.
I listened for any sign of him, and it came in the form of quiet whimpers and sniffles from behind a pile of cardboard boxes and garbage bags. My mate was crying while hidden amongst trash and it broke my heart.
“What’s wrong?” sounded from my right. I turned to find Remus at my side, but before I could answer, he held his hand up and snarled, “Someone’s hiding.” He took a step towards the boxes, but I grabbed his wrist to keep him still.
“No!” When he gave me a curious look, I explained quietly, “The man who is hiding...he’s mine. He’s my mate.”
Remus’ eyes sparkled as he smiled. “Congratulations.” He was mated to a lovely woman named Beatrice and knew all about the wonders that came with it. After just a moment, his smile vanished and he asked, "Where's Soren?"
Fuck. I was so consumed by having my mate near that I completely forgot about Soren. "He chased the shifters over that wall. We need to follow him." Try as I might, I couldn't get my feet to move. I couldn't leave my mate without meeting him, and especially not when he was so upset. No matter what, he would always come first in my life.
"Stay with your mate; it sounds like he needs you."
"I hate to leave you alone."
Remus patted my back. "A few mangy mutts are no match for two vampire guards." I was still unconvinced until he added, "I promise if we need you, we'll call." I nodded; it was for the best. I knew I couldn't fully focus on the pack when my mate was in need. Remus bolted down the alley and over the wall.
I couldn't wait to meet my mate; to hold him and talk him through whatever was upsetting him, so I walked over to the pile of rubbish. But when I went to move one of the boxes, the sniffling grew louder and a panicked voice cried out, "Go away! Leave me alone!"
I quickly removed my hands from the cardboard and took a step back. "I'm sorry I frightened you. I mean you no harm."
"You're trying to trick me. You're one of those mean dog men and you're going to eat me!"
Dog men? Oh shit. My mate was the person who the shifters were chasing, and he must have ducked behind the trash to hide.
"I promise you that I'm not a coyote shifter." I was a blood drinking, powerful master vampire. Obviously, I wasn't going to tell him that just yet. "They're all gone, and I just want to help you."