This will be the last teaser for Shadow's Embrace. Release date is Jan 13th
SAY WHAT now?
Austin didn’t know what to freak out on first—how Raven had acted toward him, what Isadora said in regard to him, Hudson saying Austin was under his protection, or this new assholish werewolf with a chip on his shoulder.
Decisions, decisions.
Then Kage dropped the mother of all bombs in Austin’s lap. Was he serious? Did Kage really just offer to put himself in harm’s way without even talking to Austin?
Seemed to him that was something they should’ve discussed first, damn it all. Austin gritted his teeth. And why was that damn werewolf smirking at him now? What was his name? Yeah, yeah—Axel.
The master vampire may have been insulting, but it was almost as if the intent had been an afterthought. It hadn’t been personal, at least it hadn’t felt that way to Austin.
Or maybe it had been, but more aimed at humans in general, especially after what Isadora said about the human Raven was feeding from running off with another vampire. There was a story there, Austin just knew it.
And God help him, the spider lady said she liked him. What the hell was he supposed to do with that? But this werewolf, this Axel guy? There was definitely something personal going on there—something dark and ugly.
Kage had his emotions so tightly locked down Austin couldn’t pick up anything through their bond, and that bothered him greatly. This link between them might be new and tentative, but he’d gotten used to it being there. Now he felt nothing from Kage.
As he stewed over whatever was going on with his mate, plans were being made. Everyone, including that new stupid werewolf, pledged themselves to the cause, even Isadora. Now that it appeared everyone was getting along, Isadora opened the bar. Several of the leaders had gathered to talk strategy.
Austin stayed at the table. He was irritated enough that he didn’t trust himself to act sociably. Kage was in deep discussions with Li Li and Raven, and Denisha was with him. Maia had stayed with Austin.
Raven’s vampires followed him wherever he went, but Li Li’s mate was still sitting at their table with one of their group. Hudson was talking to Fenton while Conrad and the other dragons drifted from group to group.
Ward was speaking to Isadora and Axel. Both the merman and the gargoyle had their people with them too. So did Axel. So basically, only Austin and the female alpha’s mate were left at the tables.
“What was the female alpha’s mate’s name?” Austin asked Maia.
“Jerome. Why?”
“Is there any protocol to introducing yourself to another mate or a werewolf mate in particular?” Okay, so maybe he was feeling a little sociable.
“You want to meet Jerome? Why?”
“Because it seems like we’re the only two who have been excluded from discussions.”
“Okay, hold up. You haven’t been excluded, nor is anyone making you sit at the table, Austin.”
“Really? Because it sure feels that way.”
“I don’t know where that’s coming from, but it’s simply not true. If you want a drink from the bar, go get a drink from the bar. If you want to join Kage, go join Kage. If you want to stay here, stay here.”
“So can I go say hi?”
“It would be better if you waited until Li Li was back with him, and Kage was with you.”
“So, no. Got it. Fine. But I can go to the bar, right?”
“Are you okay? Is there something wrong?”
“I’m peachy,” Austin said, standing. “Be right back.”
Okay, so maybe that was a tad snappish of him. Sue him. He was a little out of sorts. Austin simply couldn’t shake the feeling there was a reason for the low-level animosity he felt coming from Axel toward Kage.
When people reacted like that, there was usually a good reason, and the first thing that came to mind was a relationship gone bad. Had the two of them been in a relationship at one point?
Austin made his way to the bar, fully aware that many of the paranormals in the room tracked his progress, Kage included. Kage watching him Austin understood, but what was with the others? They acted like they’d never seen a human before, or whatever category he fell into now. His annoyance level grew.
He got to the bar, a bar that now had a bartender, and ordered a beer. Normally he didn’t drink, but he was in the mood. He offered to pay but was told a tab would be started in Kage’s name. Kage’s name, of course. Not his.
Taking the beer, he turned around and leaned against the bar. Staring out across the dining room, he took note of who was in each group.
His gaze fell on Axel. There was no doubt about it, the man was gorgeous. He certainly oozed sex appeal. Every paranormal he’d met did, but there seemed to be a roughness to Axel, a wildness.
When Axel greeted Kage, he called Kage ‘love.’ An acquaintance wouldn’t greet another by such an intimate pet name. God. The two had been in a relationship, hadn’t they?
