“What about it? I don’t understand.”

“The one time Vampires and Lycans aligned together, they created VampLycans. Most of those Lycan women who gave birth to our kind were mentally controlled and tricked into conceiving by Vampires. We inherited that ability. Some are afraid history would be repeated. It’s why Lycans hate Vampires and they don’t get along. They fight sometimes over territories and we step in when we’re asked to try to keep the peace.”

“How do you do that?”

“One of our enforcers will order that nest to leave the area. If they refuse, it’s the last thing they do. We can’t compel them to leave by messing with their minds. That’s an ability we get from them. They’re immune.”

“What kind of human problems do packs have? I’m curious,” Dusti admitted.

Peva’s smile returned. “They’re shifters. It gets annoying when poachers invade their territory and start shooting at them in wolf form. Some have died that way. An enforcer can hunt the humans down and have a little mind chat with them.”

“Mind chat?”

“You know; tell them they no longer want to hunt in that area and suggest there’s nothing to shoot. They go into their minds and place commands.”

“Can one VampLycan mind-control another?”

She hesitated. “They’d have to be pretty weak for it to work. You’ve got a lot of human blood. Are you worried someone might mess with you? It’s possible but Drantos would hand them their asses big time if they did. He’s feeding you his blood. That will make you stronger.”

“He froze me.”

Peva arched her eyebrows.

“You know, his eyes got all glowy and I couldn’t move.”

“Were you able to think?”

“Yes.”

She nodded. “That’s good. It’s very rare for a human to be immune but you aren’t a full-blood. If you had been, you wouldn’t be aware of anything he’d done unless he ordered you to remember. You wouldn’t have been able to think unless he allowed it. You would have effectively gone to sleep and woken up with whatever suggestions or commands he’d put there, believing them one hundred percent.”

“I’m back.” Drantos took a seat next to Dusti and leaned in, kissing her cheek.

“How goes it with everyone? Are they accepting your mate?” Peva lowered her voice. “Or do I have to take a stroll around to do a little public relations?”

Drantos chuckled. “They want to make her our ambassador for humans we can’t mind wipe. She can handle any of them who become a problem.”

Dusti grinned. “Awesome. I have a place in the clan. I’ll become the official bullshitter.”

Drantos gripped her hand, pleased. “It’s going to work out, Dusti.”

“I have faith since I have you.”

He picked up some of her thoughts. The bond between them strengthened every hour that passed. She’d eventually learn to mute them enough to stop broadcasting but for the moment, he knew she worried about her sister.

He pressed his mouth closer to her ear. “She’s going to be okay. Kraven won’t allow anyone or anything to hurt her.”

I just wish they were here with us.

They will be as soon as it’s safe.

Bat’s not going to take any of this well. What if she tries to run away from your brother? She’ll believe he’s as nuts as I thought you were.

Drantos frowned. He’ll track her down if she gets away from him. I have faith that he’ll find a way to prevent that from happening a second time if there’s a first. He’s a good fighter, Dusti. He’s smart. He knows how to avoid detection.

Bat doesn’t. She’s loud and draws attention.

Drantos chuckled.

“What are you two thinking to each other?” Peva let her presence be known. “You both suddenly look so grim.”

“She’s worried about her sister.” He kept his gaze on Dusti as he answered. “I’m assuring her that Kraven will keep her safe.”

“He’s right, Dusti. Kraven is what you would consider one tough hombre. He’ll protect her.”

Drantos nodded. “You’ll see her soon.”

“Food is ready,” Maku yelled.

“I’m so hungry!” Peva rushed to her mate.

Drantos got up and pulled Dusti to her feet. “Have some fun. You saved a life today. I’m really proud of you.”

“Thank you.”

“It will be fine.”

“I hope so.”

He led her to the banquet setup and they filled their plates. His thoughts drifted to their siblings too. He wished he knew his brother’s plan. It was possible that Kraven had Bat hidden somewhere in VampLycan territory, maybe even his den. Drantos silently promised to check it out later after he took Dusti home.

Otherwise, Kraven would have likely taken her far from the area. There were a lot of remote areas in Alaska that two people could get lost in.

“I’m about to eat elk. My life has drastically changed.”

He smiled at Dusti. She was adjusting to her new life surprisingly well. He was so proud and grateful that he’d found his mate.

Chapter Eighteen

The door shook from the force of someone pounding on the solid wood. Dusti rushed to it and paused. “Who is it?”

“Crayla.”

She twisted the lock and opened it, wincing over her mother-in-law’s snarled tone. The taller woman looked as angry as she’d sounded when she got her first glimpse of her standing on the porch. Drantos had turned on the exterior lights so there was no missing the death glare directed her way.

“Lesson number one: We don’t lock our doors.” Crayla entered without being asked.

Dusti jumped aside so she wasn’t pushed. “Well, Drantos locked it when he went on patrol.” She closed the door, watching the VampLycan take a seat on the couch. She paused but then followed, choosing the chair opposite her.

“You’re already changing my son. This isn’t good.”

“It might have had something to do with the fact that your husband walked in on us when we were making out. What’s wrong with knocking before just letting yourself in? Doesn’t common courtesy exist here?”