Page 103 of Hunted

“And Royal,” Jonah reminded us, naming the calf the pair had produced the year before. “He’s Brody’s favorite.”

“Don’t say that too loudly,” I warned. “They all think they’re Brody’s favorite. It’s why we call him the cattle whisperer.”

Jonah dissolved into giggles and Fallon steered him away with a wave.

Vlad sat alone at the next table, engrossed in his phone. “There’s nothing on the news sites yet,” he said when we approached. “It’s only been a few hours since we gave Kristin Chen the go ahead to begin leaking news that the research team found a breakthrough therapy in treating ALDD.” He turned to Ellie. “I still can’t believe the researchers were able to come together and make it work after everything.”

Ellie nodded, posture instantly straightening now that the discussion had turned to science. “The once-a-month injectable uses components from varewolf blood we genetically modified. It binds to the proteins present in shifter blood, preventing plaque formation. In fact, in some of the ongoing trials with patients who are at various stages of ALDD, we’ve seen symptom regression.”

“Vampires will be able to safely drink shifter blood,” Vlad said quietly. “After centuries trapped in the dark, some of us at least will be able to lead normal lives.”

“Some of us,” Cris said dryly, walking up with Phoenix close behind, tapping on his phone. “Because there’s always a catch, isn’t there?”

“You always know how to spoil an occasion, don’t you?”

“Four million citizens in the Vampire Nation. My guess is there will be high demand for the new drug dear Ellie and our scientists have developed.” He glanced to Phoenix. “How many doses have been produced so far?”

“Eight thousand as of yesterday. And it has to be taken monthly. Every time you feed.”

“Well.” Cris clucked his tongue. “That is a problem.”

“Not an insurmountable one.” Ellie crossed her arms. “We made the science work when everyone said we couldn’t. We’ll figure out how to speed up production time, too.”

“You misunderstand me.” Cris mirrored her posture. “I want this to succeed.”

“Could have fooled me,” Jori said sarcastically. She’d come to lean against a table, her mate Ursula beside her in a slinky red dress. Though everything was supposed to be kept confidential, I knew Ellie had gotten her into one of the trials and her ALDD symptoms had already shown improvement. I was damn glad. No one could have deserved it more.

Ignoring her, Cris continued, “The few werewolf leaders who are aware that the ALDD project has continued are quietly howling behind closed doors about the prospect of shifters being asked to give blood to vampires.”

“We can work on our people,” I said. “This is a big step. We knew going in that there was a lot of bad blood, forgive the expression, on both sides. We’re going to have to give each other a little grace, work together and build trust one step at a time. You already have the proposed set of conditions that were sent to the Vampire Nation and the Alpha Council.”

“We received them.” Cris exhaled, looking weary. “Providing security for Ellie and any other scientists who continue to do research on the ALDD project won’t be an issue. My mother is thrilled to support her and any others who could bring our people into the light. The problem is your list of demands.” His lip curled. “We will never allow the names of the varewolf children living in the covens, our children, my son being one of them, to be released to the Alpha Council. It will turn them into targets. Randomized inspections of our covens carried out by the Tracers are another non-starter. We will not be treated like criminals or held by the throats by our new werewolf masters intent on holding us hostage with Ellie’s new gene therapy and the blood we need to live normal, productive lives dangled just out of reach at every turn. You can all go to hell.”

“Okay.” I pinched the bridge of my nose. “Let’s all dial it down a notch.”

Vlad sighed. “You can see why Thanksgiving is loads of fun in my family.”

Cris glowered. “Shut up.”

Vlad flipped him off.

“Those conditions will get our people to come to the table. They’ll show werewolf blood donors and financial backers who could help us speed up production of the new biologic therapy that by giving money or blood products, they’re supporting an alliance with a modern-day version of the Vampire Nation, one that won’t tolerate blood slavery or the exploitation of its own people and is willing to allow neutral third-party inspectors in to verify that isn’t taking place.”

“I’d hardly call the Tracers a neutral third-party anything. You’re talking about sending in neural manipulators and forcing our citizens to submit to having their minds invaded against their will. All their private memories would be violated.”

“You have a better idea?”

He laughed sharply. “I supposed trust would be a step too far? Don’t forget, wolf, it was vampires who risked their lives pulling you and your mate from the floodwaters the night Rossi almost killed you both.”

“I haven’t forgotten,” I said softly. “I will always be in your debt. Ellie and I both want this alliance to go forth. We want every vampire who wants access to her drug therapy to have it. Whether you trust me or not, I have heard you when you say you want to lift the Vampire Nation out of the dark. You want your people to be able to lead normal lives. This is the first step towards that.”

“This is the only way to guarantee a cease fire,” Vlad said softly to his older brother. “Do you want to be caught in another century of blood wars, all the covens keeping blood slaves locked in underground dungeons? This is not a perfect solution. But my council has talked about it. We feel it’s the only way forward.”

Piper came over. “I’m pretty sure it’s cake time. West and two of the vampires have been circling for the past ten minutes like sharks. Meera is standing guard with the cake knife.”

Ellie smiled, hugging her aunt. “I’m putting my money on Meera.”

I kissed Ellie’s hand. “Shall we, Mrs. Caldwell?”