Nikolas cleared his throat. "Since it appears that you've become a target, I think it would be wise that you not leave the mansion."
"That's bullshit. I'm not going to hide from whoever the fuck this is! I'm hungry and I'm going out to feed . tonight . boogeyman or not."
"No, I will feed you," Nikolas retorted.
"Thanks, but no. I will not be relegated to feeding from the same people, day in, day out."
"Peter."
"No, it's like eating vanilla fucking ice cream just because you have it in the freezer, all the while knowing that there are tons of other flavors and combinations out there." Nikolas seemed truly offended. "I'm sorry, I don't mean to offend you, but it's the truth."
"I can't believe you called me vanilla."
"Ice cream flavors aside, I'm inclined to agree with Nikolas," Lucien said. "Sabaan?"
"I don't agree." He flicked one of his fangs with a long, black thumbnail. "Maybe the best way to flush out an imposter is with the real Peter, himself. Maybe they want Peter holed up in the mansion and not out on the streets. It could be that the entire mansion is a target."
Lucien sighed. "If that's the case, then it would be wise for all of us to remain armed until this person is caught. And Peter, as much as you hate the idea, a security detail would be wise."
I didn't get a chance to complain; hell, I wasn't even sure I would complain at this point. There was a knock at the door and it opened immediately after. Xander walked in, his eyes only on me, not the other three men in the room.
It reminded me that I had been . and still was . pissed with both Lucien and Nikolas for what they'd done when I was brought over. Or rather for what they didn't do, in repairing the bond between me and Xander.
"Just a second, Xander." I turned toward Lucien and Nikolas. Both of them met my gaze and I knew, just knew, that they knew Xander's presence had triggered my memory. "For the record, I'm still pissed with the both of you. Just so that's clear. I love both of you, but I don't forgive either of you. Not yet. What you two did could have killed Xander. I had an anchor when you brought me over, Lucien. I had you. But Xander had nothing.
"Xander? What is it that you need?"
"I was waiting in the hall to talk to Peter, and I couldn't help but overhear the conversation. I would like to volunteer to be Peter's personal guard, or at least one of them. This business with the rogue werewolves is pack business as much as it is coven business, and I want to be involved."
"I'd be glad to have you at my back, Xander," I said, before Lucien or Nikolas could disagree.
"I wasn't quite finished." Xander hesitated a moment. "Someone else would like to stand guard as well."
"Who?"
Caleb stepped into the doorway and Nikolas growled. "Oh, hell, no."
Caleb went to both knees and bowed his head. "I know I've fucked up in the past, but I would die before I let anything happen to you. If you would have me, I promise I won't let you down."
Lucien and Sabaan were either both too shocked to speak, or had decided to leave it up to me who I'd have as my personal guard. I observed Caleb for a long while. He wasn't that happy-go-lucky Caleb who I'd first met and loved. This Caleb seemed so much older, so much more haunted.
Just looking at him brought tears to my eyes.
Cyril had nearly killed Lucien, but he'd also sucked the life out of Caleb as sure as anything. I hoped that angel was frying in the pits of Hell for what he'd done. For all of the pain that he'd caused for so many people, Hell was too good for him.
"Come here, Caleb." He rose and slowly walked to me. I held my arms open and he walked into them, but didn't make any move to touch me. I pulled him into a tight hug, and it was only then that Caleb clung to me. "It won't come to that, but I'd be glad to have you as one of my guards for the night." I pushed him back and pressed my fingers beneath his chin to tilt his head back. He struggled to meet my eyes. "But there's a catch; you have to laugh at least a few times or I won't be able to stand it."
That sad look in his eyes was too much for me, and I was glad when Caleb pulled back. "I'll try."
Xander touched my arm and whispered, "Thank you."
"Thank you, Xander, for taking care of me."
"I'd do anything for you, Peter, and I hope you always know that. I still love you and I still care about your safety."
I nearly broke down, right there in front of everyone. Xander had been such a huge part of my life that there was a definite emptiness where the bond between us had been. Regardless of everything I had now, what I had with Xander had been&well, it was different.