Chapter 25

**Charles**


My father has betrayed our people. There is no other explanation for me seeing him portaling those people onto our land. The question I can not seem to answer is why. My father cherishes his position on the council even at the expense of our family, so why would he risk it to help these people? People who came for us and attacked without provocation.

"What is it, Charles?" Nova's soft voice pulls me from the many thoughts in my mind.

Does the council know? Do any of the others know? Are they a part of this? Did they come for Nova? How did they know about her?

"My father is on the council. We have not been a part of the invasions of Vampire communities, but he was helping the group today. He was opening a portal for them to come through. What I do not know is how they knew where to find us. I also never told him your name or anything that would help him find you if he wished to. I had plans to introduce you to my family at a later time, so I did not give specifics. So that leaves the question of why he was there or knew to go there, and if he knows your real identity." I keep my eyes fixed on my mate to gauge her reaction to my words.

Her face remains unmoving but her eyes are searching. For what I am not sure, but I appreciate she does not seem angry with me.

"So your father never mentioned being part of the experiments the wolves have been doing?" Asher asks.

I shake my head. "No. Our kind does not care much for the problems of others unless it conflicts with us. We found it best not to get involved."

"Sure turn a blind eye while others suffer when you are more than capable of stepping to help." Asher scoffs and shakes his head.

"You have not mentioned being a part of a rescue mission. How can you judge others when you do not act on your own words?" I snap back at him.

With this new development involving m father my good nature is running low.

"I was not part of a pack! No one wanted my help or I would have been there in a second. Do you think a lone wolf could take on genetically altered packs of wolves on his own? I don't have spells and magic to help me. I have brute strength as my weapon and that is useless if I'm outnumbered." Asher yells back at me.

A thread of guilt anchors in my chest from his words. Of course, he would not be able to take on so many wolves alone.

"My people have also been too silent on this matter," Eli adds.

"Charles, are you sure there has never been any sign your father was helping these groups?" Nova says bringing our attention back to the matter at hand.

"My father and I have not had a close relationship in many years. We do not discuss politics unless it pertains to the practices of the community practices. In other words, I am a glorified magic monitor for our people." It is not a well-liked position but I enjoyed it.

"So you were the magic police?" Asher asks in his crude way.

"In a way yes."

"How does that help us now? Can you report your father to the council?" Chase asks.

"Since he holds the head position we would need a great deal of proof for the rest of the council to consider outvoting him." Which is not likely to happen any time soon.

"We need proof then. Maybe we can set a trap for another attack." Nova suggests.

"No." All four of us say at once.

Her eyes widen from the sudden unity of our words.

"I don't mean I will be the trap. We don't know if it was me they were after. Like you said, how would they know about me? Until we know for sure we should go along with our plans and see if they try to attack again." Nova looks to me for a decision which is odd since in our bond she is the most powerful.

For that reason, she would be the leader of our family, at least according to the laws of the Mages.

"We can move forward with the house and see if the influx of magic draws them back. it could be what caused them to pick up our location in the first place. I had opened several portals there which would have called attention to anyone in the area." I had not thought it would cause us trouble, but portal travel may be dangerous to us in the long run.

"Great! Now today has been exciting and tiring, so Nova and I are going to crash." Chase grabs Nova by the hand and pulls her to her feet.

She looks stunned but when he picks her up and throws her over his shoulder she is laughing.

"Sorry assholes ya'll have to crash out here! I don't share." Chase yells over his shoulder.

Eli attempts to follow them to the room but Chase flicks a finger in the air making Eli crumble to the floor.

"That damn lust sucker," Eli grumbles.

"I still don't get how he does that. Incubus are supposed to crave sex not having all sorts of weird powers." Asher crosses his arms and huffs like a child.

"He has trained himself to use his abilities as a weapon, it is not so unusual." I point out.

"It's just fucking annoying," Asher growls before turning his attention to me.

"Alright since they are bunkered down for the night, we should head back to our land and get started on the house. If we're quick enough we can have it ready by morning."

"It will be dark and we have no electricity in the area." I point out.

His lip quirks up. "I think an elemental Mage can work a way around that."

I raise a brow at him. He seems to have a renewed interest and trust in my gifts.

"I suppose I can find a way."

"Good let's go." He moves to stand next to me before I can object.

Eli moves around to my other side and they wait for me to create the portal. Let us hope there is not a surprise army waiting for us again.


**Nova**


Chase tosses me down on the bed and jumps forward making me scream in surprise. The lower half of his body is covering mine while his arms hold him up above me.

"What should I do with you now that I have you alone?" He asks with a wicked smile on his face.

Excitement and anxiety cause me to tremble underneath him. What do I want him to do to me? I've never done anything which is something I should be sure he remembers.

"I don't know. I-I've never done anything before." My voice trembles with shame.

He's experienced in this and I'm not. What if I'm not good at it? Him being this close to me is making my desire grow and I have had some heated kissing sessions already. Only now we are moving past kissing and even instant lust isn't squashing my nerves.

"Well then...I guess I'll have to show you a little bit of everything." He says not looking one bit upset at my inexperience.

He looks...excited by the idea.

"I...I'd like that." I say meaning every word.

These guys have gotten me worked up more than once and then we're interrupted before anything more happens. That reminds me of poor Eli. I'm going to have to make it up to him the next chance I get.

Great now I'm imagining all of Eli's dark skin.

Chase hums and leans in to run his nose along my neck.

"You smell delicious sweetheart. What are you thinking about that has you smelling so good?" He asks.

I freeze. Should I be honest with him? Would he be mad that I'm thinking about Eli right now?

"Um...I don't think you want to know." I say feeling my face heat with shame.

He chuckles. "I don't care if it gets you this worked up."

I'm not sure if believe him, but I remind myself that he enjoys sex because it's his nature. I'm sure he wasn't interested in all the people he was with and didn't care who they imagined while he used them.

"I was thinking of...Eli." I squeeze my eyes shut and cringe waiting for him to get upset.

What I don't expect is for him to start full-on laughing. When I open my eyes his head is bowed and his body shakes with the sound.

"Shut up!" I say with a smack to his chest.

That makes him laugh even harder to the point he has to roll off me to clutch his stomach.

Seriously?

"Well, seeing as you are having too much fun laughing I'll go find Eli to finish what you started." I push off the bed and head for the bedroom door.

I'm stopped by a tight hold on my wrist. When I turn to glare at Chase all humor is gone. His eyes are lit up and his body is tense.

"No one gets to have you right now but me mate."

He slams his lips on mine and takes my breath away.