Chapter 333


    AXEL


    I drive one of the Rathborn SUVs out to the territory line where vampires were reportedly spotted


    lurking around. This particr territory line happens to run along the edge of the road.


    It’s one of the few boundaries that gives way to human territory not imed by another pack and acts


    as a kind of human buffer between wolf territory and vampire territory on the other side of the county.


    Of course, humans have no idea they’re basically a living barrier between two warring supernatural


    factions, and asionally they do get caught in the crossfire.


    It’s one of the rare times wolves and vampires will work together—cleaning up messes made by rogue


    wolves or vampires, and covering up our existence from humans who would likely either hunt us or try


    to use us should our presence ever be public knowledge.


    I find a contingent of Aaron’s guards gathered and pull the SUV over to the side of the road to join


    them.


    As soon as I get out, one of the senior pack members, William,es to give me a report.


    “The vampires are camped out another mile or so down this road,” William tells me.


    “Okay, let’s go see what they’re up to. Grab a few guys, but not all of them. We need a show of force,


    but not a big one that will goad them into acting.”


    William nods and then goes off to grab a couple of guys, while I climb back into the SUV.


    A few minutester, we’re rolling down the road, and the group of vampires soones into view.


    Like William said, they’re camped out—literally.


    They’ve got a couple of RVs and they’re parked in one of those non-serviced pic rest stops people


    use when they’re traveling long distances.


    This is the main road the pack uses to travel a lot of ces—into the closest town, to the Council


    meetings, and to visit other packs.


    From here, the vampires can monitor all of ourings and goings.


    I pull up the SUV and as I’m climbing out, a couple of vampires walk from around the RVs.


    One in particr steps forward, and I assume he’s some kind of leader.


    He’s not that old, however. I can tell these are all lower-ranked vampires. Theckeys who do the


    bidding of the Elders.


    “What’s going on here?” I demand, crossing my arms.


    I stop a few feet back from the edge of the road, which is technically the hard line of where Rathborn


    territory ends.


    “Well, well, well, if it isn’t the yer,” the lead vampire says with a smirk.


    He’s smirking, yeah, but I can smell his fear and false bravado from a hundred yards away.


    I sense William and the other guys ncing at me.


    I have no idea if Aaron told any of them who I really am, but it doesn’t really matter at this point.


    I have Aaron’s trust and respect, and a temporary ce within the Rathborn pack. It doesn’t really


    matter to me what Aaron’s men and pack members think of me, as long as they respect me and follow


    my word to the letter.


    “I’m only going to ask once more,” I tell the vampire in a short voice. “What are you doing here?”


    The vampire spreads his arms with a smug grin. “Isn’t it obvious? We’re camping.”


    “Wrong answer,” I tell him, taking a menacing step forward.


    I’m gratified when he immediately jerks back a step, but then he nces at the other vampires


    watching on, and I can tell he’s both pissed and embarrassed that he showed his fear in front of them.


    I watch with amusement as he screws up some courage and edges forward again.


    “Fine, if you want to know the truth, the Millennial Triad sent us to keep an eye on things,” the vampire


    says, all self-important.


    “Am I supposed to know who that is?” I scoff, unimpressed.


    The vampire’s eyes narrow, as if he’s insulted, which is exactly what I was aiming for.


    “The Millennial Triad are the ones whomissioned the AI tech from the Roberts pack,” the vampire


    exins in annoyance. “One day, they will lead all vampires, and we will take our rightful ce as the


    apex predator of all species.”


    Like I haven’t heard this kind of bullshit before.


    Every hundred years or so, some new group of wolves or vampireses along and think they’re the


    ones who are going to change it all. Make a difference—whatever the hell that means—as if no one


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    else has even tried anything like it before.


    All of them have failed.


    And this Millennial Triad or whoever they are, won’t be any different.


    That, I can guarantee.


    “Pack up your RVs and get gone. Tell your bosses that if I catch any more of theirckeys hanging


    around, I’ll be sending them back in a box.”


    The lead vampire is not suitably threatened, but his buddies are smart enough to start easing back and


    looking for means of escape.


    “We’re not going anywhere. We have our orders. I only move when the Triad tells me to.”


    I idly stretch my arms, as if warming up for some exercise.


    “Are you sure you don’t want to rethink that stance?” I ask, my tone bored.


    This vampire is going to prove zero challenge for me.


    I calcte he’ll be dead in less than a few seconds...