not looking.” Bat climbed to her feet. “I have to pee. I’ll be back.”
“But―”
Bat fled before Dusti could protest. She needed a few minutes alone, she really had to go to the bathroom, and, most of all, she wasn’t sure how long she’d be able to put up a strong front for her little sister.
It also shook her up that she was attracted to Kraven. Maybe telling Dusti wasn’t her best idea after all. How was she supposed to explain something to her sister that she couldn’t understand herself?
Kraven was an asshole but it had been a long time since she’d even wanted a man. The fact that she might want him made her walk faster into the cold, dark night.
Maybe she had hit her head too hard. It would account for the headache from hell and how distracted she seemed to be.
* * * * *
Kraven just wanted the night to end. He’d brought a deer back to the camp that would feed the survivors well. His brother had also sought him out with everything he’d learned from the sisters while he’d been hunting. The news wasn’t what he wanted to hear. The only thing he and Drantos currently agreed upon was what Decker Filmore most likely wanted to do with his granddaughters.
Aveoth, the powerful GarLycan clan leader, had recently lost his lover, which meant he’d be seeking a new one. And rumor had it that Aveoth was addicted to a particular bloodline—the one the sisters carried in their veins.
By using Dusti or Bat, Decker Filmore could secure Aveoth’s help in his bid to take over the VampLycan clans.
Drantos believed the sisters were ignorant to their grandfather’s plans. Worse, his brother was convinced the sisters didn’t know VampLycans even existed.
That’s where they’d disagreed.
How in the hell is that possible?
Kraven wasn’t buying it. He refused. The sisters had been captured by him and Drantos, VampLycans from another clan, who they’d consider enemies if they were in league with Decker. They were lying.
His brother might be older, but that didn’t make him wiser. He also seemed to be attracted to Dusti. It had to have affected his judgment.
Kraven needed to be the vigilant one.
As he’d cooked the deer and passed it out to the passengers, his gaze kept drifting to Drantos. He was spending too much time with the younger sister. He wouldn’t take it well if the sisters turned out to be onboard with Decker’s plans.
His mood darkened as the night wore on. One of the survivors was becoming a pain in his ass. The human seemed determined to panic the others. Kraven finally pulled him aside.
“Knock your shit off. These people have been through enough without you telling them animals will eat them while they sleep and no one is going to find the downed plane.”
“I can say whatever the hell I want. Fuck off, man.”
Kraven grabbed him by the front of his shirt and yanked him off balance. “You didn’t get too hurt in the crash.” He lowered his voice. “I can fix that. Do you understand me? Don’t fuck with these people. Shut the hell up or I’ll break your jaw. Try talking shit then.”
“You can’t threaten me!”
“I just did. You’re one of those assholes who love to instill fear in others. It probably makes you feel like a big, important man. It actually just makes you an asshole I want to deck. Stop. This is the only warning you’re going to get.” Kraven lifted him off his feet to make a point, but quickly lowered him, aware that others might witness what was going on.
Instead, he let down his guard and allowed his true nature to show in his eyes. He wasn’t going to waste any more time arguing with the moron. “Go sit your ass down and don’t talk to the others until after you’re rescued. You’re allowed to nod and shake your head to answer anyone who asks questions. That’s it. Am I clear?”
The guy nodded.
Kraven felt no guilt as the guy stumbled away and found a place to sit. He didn’t speak to the others, the command set in his mind.
Kraven