Chapter 17: Stalking

(Shawn’s perspective)

“So, what are you going to do about the vampire chic?” Kyle asked, an hour into our shift.

“I have no clue, man. Her name is Strix, by the way. Besides having a brother, a beautiful cousin, and an idiot cousin, it would appear she likes to play dangerous games. Other than that, I don’t know anything about her, so I guess I’ll start there.” I told him. “Also, and I didn’t tell my father this, but I think I read their minds when I was watching them run through the woods earlier.”

“You, what now? You read their minds? How is that possible? Do you think Celeste is giving Lycans powers again?” Kyle questioned.

“Dude, one question at a time. Somehow I was able to hear what they were talking about when they weren’t speaking aloud. I don’t know how it happened but that is how I found out her name is Strix, she has a brother Ben, and a cousin Rose who is Jason’s sister. Which means Strix has had to put up with Jason’s nonsense for who knows how long and that makes me want to kill him even more. I have no idea how any of it was possible and I do not think Celeste had anything to do with it because I can’t read anyone else’s thoughts. Any more questions?”

“Yeah, how are you going to get to know her if she wants to drink you dry?”

“I’m not sure. I was thinking about running patrols around her families territory but that could cause problems if they think I am spying on them.”

“Dude, you would be spying on them,” he laughed.

“Not on them, just her. And I wouldn’t be spying exactly; I’d be keeping her safe from a distance.”

“Call it what you want but she’s a vampire. She can keep herself safe.”

“Whatever.” I replied. “Hey something broke through the fence here,” I said pointing to the gaping hole.

“I’ll call it in,” Kyle said as we walked closer to investigate.

“Tell them it’s a vampire and not one we have met.” I said. Just then, I heard the snapping of several twigs. “Shh!” I hear something,” I whispered.

I looked around for the source. When I located it, I found a vampire, about five hundred feet away, spying on us. He was not familiar to me, nor did he seem familiar to this time. His clothes suggested he was from the eighties and his disheveled appearance suggested he was a wanderer and not part of Strix’s family.

I kept watching the wanderer. He seemed curious. Then he fled as the rest of the patrol arrived. We were not sure if he accidentally crossed our borders - not knowing that the fence was marking Lycan territory - or if he meant harm. He could have easily killed me and Kyle. Not much can kill a vampire, except a lycan or werewolf and maybe a woodchipper. We all went after him but we lost his scent about a mile out from our border, heading toward Strix’s place. I really hope he means no harm to us or them.

We headed back to the pack. Rico and Fritz repaired the fence and patrols were doubled. Gamma Jack York went over a contingency plan in case the wanderer returns. I decided to call Donnie Barnette, my father said he was on the council and would probably grant me permission onto their territory.

“Barnette residence,” she said.

“Hi, this is Shawn Henderson, son of Alpha Jacob Henderson. I would like to speak with Mr. Donnie Barnette, please.”

“Oh, hi. This is Karmen Barnette. Let me get him for you.”

“Thanks,” I said. After a minute or two, I thought they forgot about me. I was about to hang up when he picked up the phone.

“Mr. Henderson, this is Donnie. Sorry it took so long, I was hunting.”

“That’s alright, sir. You can just call me Shawn. And I’m sorry to bother you.”

“What can I do for you Shawn?”

“Well sir, we had a vampire intruder on our land just a bit ago. I am pretty sure he was a wanderer. Anyway we lost his scent just before he would have entered your territory. I am requesting permission for myself and one other to enter your territory to continue our search for him.”

“That seems reasonable. I will send two of mine to escort you and aid in your search.”

“Thank you, sir. Kyle and I will be there shortly… Where would you like us to enter?”

“The main road is probably best. That way if anyone is out hunting or whatever they do these days, they won’t see you and think you are up to no good.”

“Thank you again, sir.”

“See you soon!” He hung up and so did I.

I told Kyle we got permission and should head over now. I hope he doesn’t send Jason; I might start a war.

“So, what if he sends your girl to help us?” Kyle asked.

“I hope she doesn’t kill me. At least then the bond would start to take effect. I’ll have to talk to her and explain it, I’m sure. This could be really awkward. I’m sorry, dude.”

“No problem. It’s the same when a lycan is mated to anyone not lycan. Don’t let it be awkward. This is your chance to get to know her a little better.”

“You’re right, I can learn about her while I’m here. And hopefully she has already fed so she won’t eat me.” I laughed. We were nearing the main road now. We could see an SUV in the distance; that must be them waiting for us. We ran ahead to meet them.

We stopped about ten feet from them so we didn’t appear threatening. “Hi, I’m Shawn Henderson and this is Kyle Anderson.” Oh crap, she does not look happy to see us.

“I’m Scott Barnette and this is Strix Barnette, my cousin. She is trying not to breathe at the moment, you smell incredibly delicious to her…”

“Scott, really. You had to tell him.” She interrupted.

“Of course, it would have been rude not to explain why you were being rude.”

“Always the polite one, well come on. We’ll drive you to the main house. Everyone will need to meet you and get your scent so we know you are not the enemy and what not.” Strix said.

“That’s fine with us, we should get all of yours as well. The whole pack has the wanderers scent and as soon as we get yours, they will have it as well.” Kyle said.

“Strix, do you know why I smell so good to you?” I asked.

“No. Just that you do.”

“Well, being lycan we grow up knowing this. It let’s you know your mate is close. You smell incredible to me as well.”

“What?! No way! Vampires do not have mates like wolves do.” She said matter of factly.

“That’s not true. But vampires usually kill their mates because they are still human.” Kyle said.

“Vampires can also resist the bond and choose who they want to be with.” Scott said.

“You know about mate bonds,” I asked.

“Yeah, I read about them in our histories. The moon god and his sister moon goddesses created all the supernatural creatures. Anyways, the moon god, Khenzu, was jealous of his sisters so he decided to create vampires. He wanted them to destroy his sisters’ creations. To prevent this, Selene created mate bonds. She thought if the other creatures were bonded to a vampire that would save them. It didn’t quite work the way she intended. So all three sisters created mate bonds among their own creatures, and even with humans, to try to save them. That’s how humans found out we all existed. Vampires did learn to love and developed an emotional IQ, though. But the damage had been done. Because of vampires, humans thought all supernatural creatures were evil and they began hunting us. In the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries it got really bad. Anyway, with his first attempt not going so well, Khenzu decided he would start a war between the wolves and witches. Which of course was thwarted again by his sisters who bonded wolves to witches. There have been wolves and vampires bonded before, and some of them worked out. But it was always a male wolf with a female vampire and no offspring came out of it. I do not know of any half-vampires who have been mated with wolves, so I cannot say whether or not you guys could have children. I do know that Celeste does not mate alphas with someone who cannot produce an heir.”

“Wow, you seem to know a lot,” I said.

“Nope, I don’t believe you,” Strix said while shaking her head.