Chapter 50: We Belong
Cyrus
Everyone else in the bar parking lot looked as shocked as I was. Madoc was still alive. But how?
I pulled Harlow close to me. To my disappointment, she looked relieved to see him.
“Now, I know what you’re thinking,” the vampire said, from the middle of the road. “Where did he get a new suit on such short notice? Spoiler. I got it at Mega Mart. I also picked up a toolset for only ten dollars—”
“That’s it!” Blayze roared as he threw down his cut, shifted, and charged the vampire.
He slammed into Madoc, knocking him to the ground, but in seconds. Madoc was on his feet again, seemingly unfazed. The Alpha attacked again, this time snapping at him with his jaws, but to everyone’s surprise, all he got was air as Madoc rushed out of the way and reappeared several yards away.
There were gasps from all around at how fast Madoc moved.
“Look, I just want to talk,” the vampire said. Undeterred, Blayze rushed toward him, but again, Madoc evaded his assault.
“Honestly, I just want to have a friendly chat,” Madoc said.
“Stay back,” I told Harlow as I shifted to join Blayze. We both began circling him.
“All I ask for is fifteen minutes of your time,” Madoc said, hands in the air.
On Blayze’s cue, I lowered my head and advanced while Blayze came at him from the other side. But Harlow ran over and stood in front of Madoc, blocking him from us.
“Please stop! He said he wants to talk!” she said. “Just give him a chance.”
But even more surprisingly, Bonnie stepped forward to join her.
“Stand down,” Bonnie said. “Obviously, we can’t hurt him.” Blayze growled but relented. She looked at Madoc. “Fifteen minutes?”
“That’s it, I swear,” Madoc replied.
“Your time starts now,” Bonnie said.
Madoc coolly strolled into the bar, followed by everyone else. Blayze and I quickly shifted back and threw on another set of clothes. Harlow waited at the entrance for me.
“I’m sorry,” Harlow said as we went inside. “I didn’t mean to—”
I took her hand and kissed the top of her head. I still couldn’t understand her connection to the vampire, but I knew it would only hurt her to keep trying to take him out.
“Please, sit down,” Madoc said, gesturing to chairs, but everyone remained standing. “I have a proposition I’d like to discuss with you.”
“Are you kidding?” Blayze asked. “After all the sh*t you pulled?”
“We set fire to your heroine and tore you limb from limb,” said Bonnie. “Didn’t Sunrise Corp get the message?”
“Oh, they did,” Madoc said. “Arguably the most theatrical two-weeks notice they’ve ever received. Which is why I’m here. I’m out, too.” He gave a single clap followed by jazz-hands.
“Out?” Harlow asked.
“As in turning in my resignation. I’m striking out on my own in search of greener pastures.”
“Wait, you told me you couldn’t leave. That they would kill you.” Harlow said.
Madoc nodded. “They held me responsible for your antics, so I was left with the choice of getting you under their control or being sentenced to death. However, I’ve decided to not go with either option. I’ve wanted out for a long time. Their benefits are garbage. I don’t even have dental.”
No one laughed at the joke.
“I’m here because I’m interested in venture capitalism,” he continued. “Since your main source of income has dried up, I’d like to offer you seed money for future business dealings. A silent partner, if you will.”
“You’re kidding, right?” I scoffed. “After everything we did, why would you want to work with us?”
“Despite your creative attempt on my life, I’m still more fond of your little band of misfits than I am of the other vampires. They have no sense of humor, and at least here, I can get a decent margarita. Plus, I hate to see misfortune fall on good people.”
“Just for curiosity’s sake,” Blayze began. “How much money are you talking about?”
“I’m worth about sixty million, give or take. Years of smart investments have been good to me,” A mummer broke out amongst the packs. Was Madoc for real?
“Look, here’s the cold, hard truth,” Madoc continued, leaning against the bar. “You gave Sunrise Corporation a bloody nose, but you have no idea what you are dealing with. Once they realize that I too have retired early, they’ll simply send someone else to pick up where I left off.”
“More vampires,” I said.
“Yes, Fonzie,” Madoc said. “And not the friendly neighborhood kind, like yours truly. I’m talking about the ones who won’t hesitate to slaughter an entire town just to make a point. And speaking from personal experience, I’m sorry to tell you, you’re no vampire killers. Not yet, at least. If you want to stand a fighting chance against their wrath, which, mark my words, is all but inevitable for you and me both, you need me. We need each other.”
“I believe him,” Harlow said, stepping forward. A ballsy move, but Harlow had never been meek. That’s what I loved about her. “At the end of the day, Madoc might be our only shot at keeping the real monsters at bay. What’s the old saying? ‘The enemy of my enemy is my friend?’ I’ve gotten to know him the most out of anyone here, and I can honestly say there’s more to this vampire than he lets on. The Blood Dogs are all about helping people—providing second chances. I know I don’t have a vote, but if I did, I’d vote to give him that opportunity.”
Madoc seemed genuinely touched. “I’m sure you have much to discuss,” he said. “So I’ll step out and let you decide.”
And so he did. Bonnie and Blayze then walked to the bar, which had become the unofficial stage, and stood before both packs.
“Thank you, Harlow,” Bonnie said as Harlow walked back to me. “Let’s hold a vote.”
Harlow
Moments later, I ran outside to Madoc. “The vote was a yes!”
“Really?” he said. “Splendid!”
I could hardly believe the news either. “Bonnie and Blayze still have a lot they want to discuss, so they need you back inside.”
Madoc started toward the door but stopped. “Thank you, Harlow. What you said means more to me than you know.” He flashed a quick smile and hurried inside, brushing past Cyrus.
“Guess he took the news well,” Cyrus said.
“He did,” I replied. “I know how difficult that vote must have been for you.”
“You were right. When it comes down to it, we’re gonna need him.” Cyrus took my hand and kissed it, then pulled me in close and kissed my mark. “There’s still one more step we have to take to complete the mating bond,” he whispered. My pulse quickened. “You wanna get outta here?”
Without wasting another minute, we removed our clothes and shifted. We ran as fast as we could out of town and into the desert toward our spot.
By the time we reached the top of the plateau, the stars and moon were on full display. Shifting back into our human forms, we stood near the cliff holding one another, our naked bodies completely invulnerable to the cold night air. Cyrus ran his fingers through my hair as I placed my palms gently on his chest.
“You know…I don’t think I ever thanked you for fixing my car,” I teased.
That made him laugh. “Well, I don’t think I ever thanked you for breaking down.” I smiled in return as he pulled me in even closer. “I can’t begin to tell you how glad I am that you came into my life. I know I’m not perfect, but I want to do everything I can to make you as happy as you make me.”
I began to feel a warmth emanating from my mark, almost as if my body knew what was to come. By the look of desire in his eyes, he seemed to feel it too.
“Are you sure this is what you what?” I asked. “There’s no taking it back after this.”
“More than anything.” He tilted his head to the side, and I let my mouth trail kisses down his throat. The heat radiating from my mark increased in intensity, causing my teeth to elongate. It was time.
The second I bit into his neck, Cyrus’s body shuttered in euphoria. His legs gave out, and we both fell to our knees. It was then that I too began feeling the same exhilaration that he felt as if we were coming together as one. The mating bond.
When I released him, we stared into each other’s eyes, breathing heavily. But we didn’t say a word. We didn’t have to. We could somehow sense what the other was feeling. No matter what the future held, we belonged to one another.
I was his mate. And he was mine.