Tasting The Enemy

Elaine POV

“I didn’t think meeting the parents would be this nerve-wrecking,” Azaire said.

I giggled. “You didn’t feel that way when you met my Dad, though.”

“Your Dad’s a dick.”

I sighed and stared at the spot in my palm where he cut me and made a blood promise. He was something alright. I couldn’t believe the extent of his cruelty. Azaire and I have been driving for hours. Gail lived a couple of hours away. I felt weird about showing up like this. We didn’t make plans to speak again, we barely spoke that night. She couldn’t believe I was dead.

I had so many questions but she was in the dark like me. Where was I for six years before my Dad brought me to live with him? Is Isaura my Dad’s daughter? She didn’t call him Dad, but if Laiken was capable of stealing a baby, then he could make a little girl believe he was her uncle.

Azaire grabbed my hand and brought it to his lips. “What are you worried about?”

“Everything I guess,” I said, staring out the window.

“None of this is your fault. This is your second chance.”

I sighed heavily. “I know… I’m nervous too.”

“Don’t worry, mate. I’m here.”

“I’ve never felt luckier,” I smiled.

“We’re meeting Richie after this.”

“Richie? What’s he doing here?”

“This pack has an old Alpha without children.”

“You’re thinking of invading? Are you sure about that?”

“We’ve been surveilling this pack for months. The neighbouring pack is our tribe pack.”

“How many tribe packs do you have?” I asked.

“Eight,” Azaire replied.

I smirked. “The Black Claw pack has ten.”

Azaire groaned. “You won’t be part of Black Claw that much longer, mate.”

“I’m already not part of them.” It would still take some getting used to but Azaire made me feel like part of the pack. He wouldn’t let anyone bring up my family in his presence. My only antagonizer had been his cousin Oliver who was convinced I was a spy prepared to sink the pack.

“That’s the house,” I said.

It looked a lot bigger in daylight. Her front lawn was a garden of different coloured flowers. Her grass was as vibrant as fresh paint and her flowers shined like jewels in the hot sun. We walked up to the front door hand in hand. I was about to pass out. A thousand wicked scenarios played out in my head until the door opened. Blue eyes stared at me. Sky blue eyes carrying intense pain took me in.

“E-Elaine,” she said.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call…”

She opened the door wider for us. The house smelt like floral essence. Despite the beauty of her home, she was dying inside I could feel it.

“This is Azaire… my mate,” I said.

Gail forced a watery smile. “That’s wonderful… I’ve been pondering non-stop since you left. How did I not know that the baby I held wasn’t mine?”

“When did it happen?” Azaire asked.

“The doctor said she died shortly after she was born. I picked your name, I did. Your Dad loved the name… I was so naive, so stupid.”

“You had just given birth. They took advantage of you,” Azaire said and I knew his hatred for my Dad only grew.

Gail fiddled with her hands. “He’s such a bastard. I’ve been a fool all these years. I let Laiken use me and play me for a fool. Him and his witch Avena.”

“Where’s Isaura?” I asked, hoping to lighten the moon.

Gail’s cheeks lifted in a smile. “At school. I had to explain to her that she had a sister and she’s wanted to meet you ever since.”

“I’ve always wanted a sister. I grew up with two brothers.”

Gail stood and offered us tea. She came back with a tray of tea and biscuits. The mood had lifted and she didn’t look like she was about to burst into tears.

“What happened to your other brother, Elaine?” Gail asked, tucking a strand behind her ear.

“Mine? I only have two brothers.”

“Oh, I thought Laiken had three sons.”

Azaire and I shared a look. Azaire had three brothers before he lost Aiden but Gail couldn’t be talking about the Shaw boys.

“My brothers are Nik and Blazer,” I said.

Gail stirred her tea and shook her head. “Oh Laiken…”

“What?” I set my teacup aside.

“It’s just the signs were there. I thought he was going to change. How silly of me. He’d gotten his wife’s sister pregnant and I thought he could do better.”

Azaire choked on his tea.

“He did what?” I gasped.

Gail looked up and placed a hand on her chest. “Didn’t you know? I know he had custody of the boy but I assumed Bianca’s family accepted the matter and moved on.”

I shook my head. “No one knows who Blazer’s mother is. Not even Blazer. Are you telling me, Andrea’s his Mom?”

Gail nodded. “She is. Laiken told me himself.”

Blazer needed to know about this. He didn’t show it but not knowing who his Mother was left a void in his heart. How would Nik take this? His Dad cheated on his Mom with her sister.

I cringed just thinking about how messy this was.

“Yes, Blazer was born before the other boy. I can’t remember his name, Laiken didn’t like talking about him.”

“Other boy? My Dad has another son?” I gasped.

Who the hell is my Father?

Gail frowned. “Laiken doesn’t tell you kids anything, does he? He shouldn’t be keeping you siblings apart.”

“Where is he?” I asked.

She looked away. “I’m sorry, honey. I made a blood promise to your Father, he had a plan. A very notorious plan. I can’t counter it and I can’t speak about it. It’s part of the magic that binds our agreement.”

“Does his plan involve the Blood Moon pack?” Azaire asked.

Gail’s eyes drooped. “I can’t say… but it’s very ambitious and will affect thousands of lives.”

***

Soft music played in the bar. It was a cool bar with a good crowd but the mood at our table was depressing. Richie and Ross arrived hours ago. We told them Dad’s been planning something crazy for years.

I was regretting that blood promises a lot more now.

“Look there’s always a way out of a blood promise you just have to find it,” Richie said.

“They’re binding, jackass,” Ross growled.

“Well, smartass, you have to look at the wording of the blood promise then we look for a loophole. There’s always a loophole.”

“Thanks for being optimistic Rich,” Azaire said, but his voice was flat.

“Okay, let’s talk about this later,” I said.

“We have to figure things out, Elaine. For all we know your Dad’s planning to wipe the blood moon pack from the face of the earth.”

The music got louder. The son was faster and upbeat.

“We were supposed to have a good time. Dad’s ruined that again.” I slid off the bar stool.

“Don’t you want to dance with me,” I asked.

Azaire turned in his stool, leaning against the counter.

“Dance?” He lifted a brow.

“Yeah, real closely.” I backed up, hoping he would follow.

He watched me move instead and I smirked. It was like there was no one else in the bar but me.

“Why don’t you show me what you’ve got before I get up.”

Gladly.

I moved my hips from side to side and drove my fingers into my hair. The lights were low and the music was sensual. Azaire watched me like a hungry wolf. Why wouldn’t he devour me already? I ran my hands down my body, letting them linger on my breasts before caressing my waist.

What’s he waiting for?

Glass shattered and someone screamed. I turned my head in the direction of the chaos but all I saw was darkness.