“As will making our exit. We can make a big show about how we’re going to Disney World or something, somewhere with a lot of people where it will be hard for anyone to pinpoint exactly where we are.”
"In the meantime, I'd like to introduce Belle to David," Blake said to Parker, almost as if he were looking for some kind of approval.
A rush of gratitude washed over him that he recognized Parker had claimed Belle as his mate. He didn't know where this was going or exactly when it would crash and burn, or even how it had happened, but Parker only knew that Belle belonged to him. Vampire or not. His beast didn't give a shit if she was a witch, a fairy, or ghoul. It didn't matter. Whatever she was, she was his.
"I think that's a good idea, if Belle agrees. Any trackers they put on you won't be able to find you, or get into your head inside David's laboratory." Parker turned to her.
"Not even the necromancers?" Belle asked, her tone soft.
"No, our witch would make them heartily and immediately sorry for trying,” Drew said with a grin. "When you meet her, you'll have to ask her about the ex-husband she turned into a shit demon."
"That’s a thing? I'm so naive." Belle shook her head.
"It is when Westwood says it is. She's married to the Goblin King, so as I said, we have unusual and powerful allies." Drew gave her another smile. "It's going to be okay, little sister."
A relief he didn't know he'd been waiting for followed that last wave of gratitude. They'd accepted her.
As if they wouldn't have.
Parker knew his brothers like the back of his own hand. They were his family. His pack. They'd always have his back, he knew that on a cellular level. It was his human mind that faltered, because he'd never had to ask for their help before.
Sure, he was a fuck up, but he mostly got himself out of his own scrapes. He'd accepted his duty to pack, and here he'd almost royally screwed them, granted while he was trying to do the right thing, and they backed his play. No matter what that meant for them.
He couldn't imagine living without that.
He couldn't imagine running from them.
It made him all the more determined to protect Belle. It didn't matter to him that she was an ancient vampire. She was still largely innocent in the ways of the supernatural world. She'd been alone for so long. She'd missed the Supernatural Renaissance where factions had come together and formed alliances. Or if not alliances, at least peace treaties.
"I'll talk to Randi, we'll start making the arrangements," Blake said. "Take her to David, get her settled and then I need you to come back to the boardroom for war council."
"I understand," Parker replied.
"It was nice to meet you all," Belle said. "I thank you."
"You're helping us too, don't forget that," Warner rumbled at her.
"I really hope that's what I'm doing," Belle said with a grim tone.
He led her out of the boardroom and toward the R&D wing. "So, that's my family."
"They're amazing. I can't believe all of the power in that single space. It rippled off of them all like it was a physical thing."
"Werewolves are like that." Parker sniffed. "Oh you smell like chocolate," he mimicked. "Yeah, power. More like animal magnetism."
"That's power, too. But no, Parker. That's not what I felt. It was... an electricity."
Parker had the urge to push her against the wall and bite her again, to remind her she should only be feeling electricity with him. Which was completely unlike him. Being the baby, he wasn't particularly the kind to stomp around and mushroom stamp everything in his wake like Blake did. Or even Drew. He wasn't even Beta. He was just... a cog. A wolf in the pack. But Belle made him want to do those things. Belle made him wish he was the kind of wolf who had that power.
Belle's laugh brought him back to the moment and his beast, had in fact, pushed her up against the wall and was snarling against her neck.
And she was laughing.
She wasn't mocking him, but it was a sound of actual mirth. She enjoyed the beast's rough and tumble treatment.
"Oh, Parker. Here?" She'd wrapped her arms around his neck. "Someone is going to see, but if you don't care, I guess I don't. Is that how things are done here?" Her voice dropped to barely a whisper. "Do you just throw your women against the wall and have a go whenever the wolf demands?"
"Not usually," he said, and realized his voice was several octaves deeper. He was on the verge of a full on Change and hadn't even realized it.
That was bad. Very bad.
"Oh, that's a disappointment."
His beast rumbled. "Would you like that?"
"Yes. I'm finding I like everything about you, Parker Woolven. I'm afraid that's dangerous for us both."