Kerry kept a close watch on Jesse as he walked to answer the door of Electus Everson’s office. The man looked cagy. Jesse sat slumped in a chair in the corner. He had the cutest pout on his face.

Kerry knew Jesse planned to rabbit just as soon as he could find an escape route. Kerry wasn’t going to allow it.

“Hello.” Drew blanched when Kerry opened the door.

“Andrew.” Kerry nodded at him before lifting his eyes to meet Garret’s. “Garret, it is good to see you back with your anamchara at your side. My congratulations.”

“Thank you, Kerry.” Garret grinned. “I need to speak with Electus Everson.”

Kerry stood back, holding the door open.

Garret kept his hand in the small of Drew’s back as he escorted him into the room. He took two steps into the room before grabbing the back of Drew’s waistband and pulling the man to a stop.

“Did we interrupt something?” Garret asked the Electus.

“We were merely having a discussion concerning Jesse’s inability to keep his lips sealed.” The man had his hands folded together over his wide chest but he was tapping his thumbs together over and over again. He was not a happy Electus.

Garret gulped. “Sir?”

“It has come to my attention that Jesse got himself into a bit of trouble,” Electus Everson replied. “In an effort to get himself out of trouble, he fed information to the hunters about not only our tribe but his brother as well, aiding the kidnapping of his brother.”

Drew’s swift inhale said it all. Jesse’s crimes were punishable by death in their world. Kerry clenched his jaw as he tried to prevent the growl building up in his throat from breaking free. It was also a crime to growl at his alpha but not one punishable by death. He’d just get reprimanded.

Still…

“While I don’t agree with what Jesse did, sir,” Garret said, “I know he didn’t have any intention of true harm coming to his brother. Jesse is immature and naive at times but he is not malicious. I don’t believe he understood the weight of what he was doing or who it would affect. Jesse is a lot of things but he loves his brother. Of that I have no doubt.”

“Be that as it may, he still has knowledge that cannot be allowed to get out. It could be very harmful to our people if it did, and that includes your anamchara if my understanding of your formal introduction is correct.”

“It is, sir. Drew gave me permission to claim him.”

“Have you paid the mate price?” Electus Everson asked.

“When I came here to be your lieutenant, I left money for Drew’s care. Jesse took it. As such, I consider the mate price paid in full.”

Kerry chuckled at the happiness he could hear in Garret’s voice. Garret LaGaffe was a vampire but he held the same rank as Kerry. They worked well together, no caring about the animosity between wolves and vampire. They were more concerned with keeping everyone under their care safe.

“Very well. As you have paid the mate price and your have officially claimed Andrew before witnesses, I will consider the situation with you anamchara closed.” Kerry stiffened when Electus Everson drew in a deep breath and he turned to regard Jesse again. “That does not mitigate the situation with Jesse, however. He still cannot be trusted to keep his mouth shut.”

Jesse huffed, rolling his eyes as though he found this whole situation ridiculous. “I already said I wouldn’t say anything.”

“Until the next time you needed money,” Drew said bitterly. “You’ll do anything for money, even sell me out.”

“I’m afraid I have to agree with Drew,” Garret admitted. “Jesse cannot be left to his own devises.”

Electus Everson sighed deeply, the resigned expression on his face making him seem tired. “Then that leaves me with only one option I’m afraid.”

Every muscle in Kerry’s body tensed at Electus Everson’s words, his body readying to attack. Even as it dawned on him that he was about to attack his alpha, his claws extended and his fangs ripped through his gum line.

Kerry’s gaze snapped to Jesse as realization struck him in a flash. He was ready to attack his alpha because the man was threatening his mate. Kerry swallowed hard and then concentrated on regaining his fleeting control. He could not show weakness, not now, not when he needed his control more than ever. Jesse was his mate but his actions were those of a petulant child. Kerry almost grinned as he realized that his mate had played right into Kerry’s deepest fantasies.

“No!” Drew shouted before spinning around, grabbing Garret’s shirt. “No, Garret, you can’t let him hurt Jesse. He’s not a bad person, just a bit misguided.”

“Drew—”

“We do not harm those that have not harmed us, Andrew,” Electus Everson said sharply. “I merely meant that Jesse’s behavior leaves me with only one option. He will need to stay here in the hotel under guard until such time as the information he has is no longer harmful to my people.”

“Hey,” Jesse snapped as he jumped to his feet, “that’s called kidnapping.”

“Been there, done that,” Drew snarled as he shot his brother a deep glare. “This is not kidnapping. It’s a luxurious vacation in Club Paranormal.”

“I will take him.”

All activity stopped.

No one spoke a word.

Then slowly, all eyes turned to look at Kerry.

“Would you repeat that, Kerry?” Electus Everson said.

“I will take him.”

Electus Everson observed Kerry intently for what seemed like forever before asking, “Do you understand what you are saying, Kerry?”

“I do.” Kerry’s cold steely eyes landed on Jesse, devouring him from across the room. “He is mine.”