The World After

Chapter 3 – An Idea

“What happened last night?” I glanced over at Grayson as he pulled a shirt on and smirked. Rayne hadn’t taken a lot of blood last night, but the idea of throwing Grayson on the bed, screwing him senseless while I fed was quite enjoyable. “Why the hell are you smiling like that?” I masked my face and gave him a coy look.

“Like what, Grayson?”

“Like you would devour me if I let you.” I walked over to him and wrapped my arms around his waist, pulling him close. He dipped his head down and brushed his lips over mine while his hands settled on my waist. “What happened?” he asked.

“Rayne woke up and then woke me up.”

“Why? Was he okay?”

“He was in pain.” I pulled back to look at him. “His fangs were needing to come down, he needed to drink from a vein. It’s something every newbie goes through. And since we don’t know exactly what these two are like, I wasn’t sure if they would develop in the normal fashion or not.”

“He fed from you?” I nodded at his question. “Do you need to feed?”

“I will later, he didn’t take enough to bother me though, not for this meeting.” Grayson sighed and took a step back. He grabbed his leather jacket, and I fought the urge to jump him yet again.

“You need to stop that Fire, or it’s going to be who jumps you.” I gave him a funny look while I lifted my shoulder, not quite understanding what he was saying.

“Stop what?” His arm slipped around my waist, and he pulled me close so he could whisper in my ear.

“Wolves can smell when their mates go into heat. You’re in heat all the time and it’s a very arousing smell. So, when your little mind goes into every dirty thought, it does a number on me and I have to fight Midnight a lot harder than I like.” I laughed as I winked at him.

“Sorry?” But we both knew I wasn’t, so it was pointless to even say it. He just shook his head and walked to the conference room, not surprised to find everyone else already there. “Well, we’re all up nice and early,” I told them, taking a chair.

“You’re far too cheerful,” Elric said, and I smirked.

“Don’t take your mind there. So, any thoughts on what we left off on?” I leaned back in the chair, waiting for anyone to express anything. I could tell that many of us didn’t even know where to begin so I shrugged and crossed my arms. “So, I got hit with an idea last night…,” I started, waiting for all eyes to turn to me, even Grayson. “What’s the possibility of getting quite a few alphas in one location?” I glanced between Grayson and Anna and waited for the beat before Anna busted out laughing.

“What is quite a few, Fire?”

“A pack’s worth?” Both Anna and Grayson opened their eyes wide, and silence fell over the table.

“What are you thinking?” Jonah asked and I shrugged.

“I was with Rayne last night, his fangs needed to drop, and it got me thinking of their abilities, stuff they might grow into, and I got to thinking of wolves, of their heightened sense of smell. Could multiples of you guys form a large enough group to maybe track down Deomino?” Grayson sat back as he thought that over. It wasn’t impossible, truth be told. Not that we didn’t have a roundabout idea of where he was, but if we could for sure get to him, then maybe, just maybe, this war didn’t have to happen. Not that I bought that, because those leaders of his were ready for war. They would fight with, or without, someone to command them at this point.

“I wouldn’t suggest it,” Anna said, leaning forward in her seat to look at me. “That many wolves on one singular mission in one spot with only one leader, you’re asking for trouble on levels you don’t even understand. We’re meant to help, sure. We’re meant to step down when the authority calls for it, sure. However, grouping us together like that, no way. That’s why territories are a safe distance anyway. Too many strong-willed and strong-minded members, and we’re only going to nip at each other’s heels. Trust me, it’s not going to be pretty, and you could only hurt yourself by possibly losing more allies.” Well, s**t, I didn’t think about that.

“Besides, if I know Erica,” Tessa started, drumming her nails softly on the table, “the moment she was brought into the fold, she put a cloak over everything, which would disguise any smell and no one would get close enough till you fell into her trap, and she will have one.”

“What would your goal be behind that anyway, Fire?” Elric asked and I shrugged.

“Trying to prevent something before it happens. I know it’s not going to, I’m just thinking if the puppeteer isn’t pulling the strings, how likely are the puppets to fall, and how fast?”

“I’m not sure you can take Demoino out, babe,” Grayson said. “But I like what you’re thinking, I just agree with Anna; it would be a suicide mission.”

“Okay, point taken. So, the next order I suppose, do we take this fight to them, or let them bring the fight to us?”

“We aren’t nearly ready to take the fight to them,” Jonah spoke, shaking his head. “We’re helping with the weapons, and it’s coming along, but it’s still a time-consuming thing.”

“So, we wait?” I questioned and Grayson c****d a brow.

“Maybe we don’t. What if we start testing things a little more, and see how ready they are? Erica made her grand entrance at that party; she saw a couple of members who were there. What if we start going out, seeing if they attack, see what demons come our way?”

“Grayson, we already know these demons are stronger than we give them credit for, is this really the time to test anything? To try and take chances?”

“This is our fearless queen?” Elric teased and stood up. “I’m in agreement with Grayson. I think we need to start seeing a little more of what we’re up against. I vote that we start venturing out, maybe go home to our own areas and see what’s been amiss. What hasn’t been reported to us or on the news.” I looked around the table and nodded. What could I say to that? Something was telling me that separating wasn’t the smartest thing, but it seemed everyone was on the same page.

“Okay. In that case, be back here in a week. We should have some weapons forged and training needs to begin. If it’s not wise to take the fight to him, then it’s on us to be as ready as we can be,” I told them.

“Spoken like a true queen.”

“Oh, shut up, Elric.” His lips twitched before he sat down.

“I am curious about something. You spoke of Rayne and his teeth, his fangs dropped?” Elric asked.

“Yes. Unusual I thought, but then, what is normal with them?”

“Did yours?” he questioned, and I shrugged. How was I to remember that? “Maybe it’s time you spoke to your, well, nannies.”

“Easier said than done when they disappear half the time,” Grayson mumbled.

“I’m not sure the path we’re walking on can be directed by them,” I told everyone. “Grayson and I were different, of course, but this goes beyond that. What does anyone know of two species in one? Rayne is part wolf, no disputing that, but tends to lean more toward a vampire. He drinks blood but eats meat. And Rosemina, she’s smart, strong, and quick sense, but devours blood like no tomorrow. In fact, though Rayne is more my vampire of the two, I was surprised it was him who had his fangs drop rather than Rosemina.” I shook my head as I stood up. “Those two are as different from Grayson and Ias night and day. I’m not sure talking to anyone will really help as they are just so far off in their own field.”

“I would hate to think the gods would give you such a gift and then give you no help.” I rose a brow at Tessa who only smirked.

“Just like they gave me a mate as a wolf that by rights I can’t have kids with and then tell us we’re going to lead some new era and fight a major war….but that’s all the help they’re giving us.” Everyone shared a laugh at that because it was true. Raising two kids that no one knew anything about was really the least of my problems. “The twins are fine; we learn something new every day.” With that, Grayson stood up and took my hand.

“And since we’re all leaving, I need to speak to my mate alone.” I gave him a confused look, but he just shrugged and led me outside.

“What do we need to talk about alone?” He paused on the way up to the room and turned to me.

“I want to show you the location that we have for the start of our world. I want to take you and the kids there right now. It’s the best time since everyone was leaving.” He leaned forward and gave me a soft kiss and a smile graced my lips. Could it be any more possible for me to love this man more? Never, in a million years, would I have picked someone like Grayson to share my life with, but again, the Gods knew more than I did it seemed.