Jake heard a familiar howl and caught a glimpse of Hunter scraping his paw over a wolf, the bodies of Chaz's guards strewn at his feet. Jake released Chaz, his dead carcass tumbling onto the cracked earth. His attention shifted to Quintus, but the vampire had disappeared. No longer sensing his presence, he suspected he'd materialized in search of blood.
Jake called to his wolves. Anzober. He shifted, standing proudly as he demanded the submission of his pack. Alpha.
"I'm here to claim this pack as mine. Is there anyone here who challenges me?" The hum of the pack sizzled through him, their exaltation and appreciation smashing through his mind. "Anzober Wolves. Acadian blood flows through my veins, but from here on out I'll lead you. I am your Alpha."
One by one, the wolves submitted to the mighty Alpha, crouching before him. Kai descended from the heavens, landing at his feet. She knelt in submission yet kept close, claiming her rightful place at his side. My mate. My pack. Always.
Chapter Nineteen
Kai took a deep breath, inhaling the salt air, thankful to finally see her Alpha. For the first day in nearly a week, her beast settled in anticipation of seeing him. During the attack, Kai had dragged her sister to the helicopter and had called on the Elders to materialize her away from the battle. Immediately after Jake had reclaimed Anzober Wolves, she'd returned to her sister's side in San Francisco.
Although Shilan had physically recovered, she'd refused to discuss what had happened. Kai's chest crushed with the pain of her sister's depression. Shilan insisted she return to her mate, and Kai reluctantly agreed to fly to San Diego, promising to return within a week.
Jake had taken over Anzober Wolves with no challenge to his leadership. The bodies of Chaz and Kasdeya had been flown to the Elders, who held a ritualistic cremation ceremony, ensuring neither the vampire nor wolf could reincarnate, and sending any demonic remnants to hell. Samantha continued to insist Ilsbeth held no magick, but both Kai and Jake had refused to acknowledge the existence of the Kris to the coven. They'd decided to keep it safe in San Diego until Dominique recovered.
It had been a week since they'd last seen Quintus. The vampire had disappeared after the attack. Both Jake and Kai worried that he'd been poisoned after he'd tasted of Kasdeya's blood. The Alpha had attempted contacting him, eventually reaching out to Jax and Léopold, but no one had heard a word.
The roar of the ocean broke her contemplation and she smiled. When she arrived at the beach, Jake had texted her with directions, telling her to go directly down the wooden steps onto the beach, promising a spanking if she disobeyed. She'd laughed, seriously considering ignoring him on purpose. As soon as she'd stepped out of the taxi, she'd been in awe of the gorgeous home, but had avoided knocking on the door. Instead she'd made a beeline down the dusty path and the stairs onto the shore. A wide blanket stretched across the sand, and a bottle of champagne chilled in a bucket.
She smiled at the sight of a solitary surfer riding a wave as the sun dipped toward the horizon. Kai reached into her purse and glanced at her phone, checking the time. Where is he? He'd told her the property belonged to a friend and not to worry about trespassing but as she looked up to the spectacular beach house, she hoped like hell she was at the right address.
Kai sat on the blanket, lying back onto her elbows, her bohemian sundress brushing her ankles. As she stared out into the rolling ocean, she contemplated how she planned on telling Jake she'd decided to move. A local university had expressed interest in her research and she'd accepted the teaching position.
Butterflies danced in her stomach in anticipation of her Alpha. Kai's instinct to complete the mating had grown stronger. More than her beast, her humanity drew her toward Jake. Funny and self-deprecating, her charismatic and brave Alpha had stolen her heart. In her mind, she'd run through all the different ways she planned to tell him her feelings.
Kai closed her eyes, relaxing in the late day sun. You look beautiful, my little pixiu. Her eyes flashed open, pulse racing as she heard his voice. Forget me so quickly? She laughed, searching the beach for her Alpha.
"Never. Where are you?" She focused her attention on the surfer who rode a long wave into shore, pumping the board, pushing the distance.
Jake. Kai gave a broad smile as he dove into the water, and broke the surface. Within seconds he strode out of the surf, his board under his arm. As she attempted to shove up to stand, she heard his command.
Don't move, sweetheart. Kai laughed, desire spiking between her legs. Jesus, that man makes me hot.