Eight
The loft that Desmond lived in was on top of the Grey tower. Covens and Packs worked like companies. They frequently had apartment buildings that they all lived in. Humans could also rent them as well, but you had to swear your loyalty to the immortals that you lived with. Everything in Moon City came for a price. There were plenty of perks of living in a place with immortals, but there was also danger to.
There was a reason the cities they lived in were cloaked by magic.
Moon City was the only place that I had ever known. I’d never been outside of the place. Although it occurred to me that depending on how long the rouse went on for, Desmond might be taking me to other secret cities.
When we got into the Grey tower, I was greeted by the doorman at the lobby. He was a tall, younger guy, with curly, blond hair who I’d gone to high school with. His name was Chris Philip, and he was one of my close friends. He’d helped me get my job at the Night Owl, despite my loyalty to the DuPont pack.
“Hey, Iris!” he exclaimed. He glanced at Desmond, who I realized was an imposing figure as he towered beside me.
“Hi, Chris.”
“You look nice,” he winked at me, making me smile a little, “you uh…had some luck at The Choosing Ceremony?”
I blushed. “Um…” I looked up at Desmond. “Yeah, I guess I did.”
He chuckled. “Nice. Here I thought you always said you didn’t want to get tied up in werewolf drama because you wanted to be a Peace Broker.”
“She’s still going to be,” Desmond told him, “Who, exactly, are you?”
I reached out and took Desmond’s hand without thinking. “This is Chris, Desmond. He’s an old friend from school.”
“Boyfriend?” Desmond glared at Chris, posturing in a way that made me remember the kind of power he held.
Chris laughed. “No, I think my boyfriend would have an issue with that. Alec isn’t exactly one to share.”
Desmond raised an eyebrow. “You’re dating Alec Grey?”
“Yes, he is, so you can chill. They’re friends of mine. Chris helped me get my job at the Night Owl. He introduced me to Calix.”
“He’s going to be disappointed, you know,” he waggled his eyebrows, “I always thought that you were going to end up with him, but I guess the gods must have other plans for you.”
I sighed. “Yep. Sure do. Can you let us in?”
“Sure, sure.” Chris looked Desmond up and down. “You’re Desmond DuPont, right? The Alpha that went missing that everyone’s talking about? It’s all over the news.”
“Yes,” he scowled, “can you let us in now? I’d like to show my future mate her home.”
“Alright….” Chris opened the door, and let us in.
The door closed behind us, and I glared at him. “That’s one of my oldest friends. You don’t have to treat him like dirt.”
“Why do you know this place?” Desmond asked.
I looked up at him. “The Grey Building? I have to come here sometimes to run errands for Calix.”
“You’ve never been with him?”
“I’m twenty-four, Desmond. I’m also not an idiot. I know the kind of magic that happens when people have sex. It can sometimes be binding, and I’m smart, okay? Calix has never made a move on me either. I didn’t even know he was interested until he told me of this little plan of yours to try and find out who tried to kill you. Why do you care? We’re only playing pretend.”
“Because, Calix knows better than to go after young ones,” Desmond told me, “If he had, in fact, seduced you I would have to bring it to The Immortal Courts to investigate.”
I sighed. “I hope you find your would-be killer really quick. Your kind of a dick, and there’s no way in the eternal realms that I’d ever want to end up with you.’
Desmond chuckled. “It is a shame I didn’t notice you before. You are much more entertaining than your sister. A lot feistier.”
I glared. “Don’t you dare get any ideas.”
He only laughed.
The two of us went to the elevator.
“What floor are you on?” I asked him.
“The top,” Desmond answered.
“The top?” I shifted uncomfortably. “But that’s Calix’s place. I know, I’ve….” I hesitated. How did I explain that Calix had taken me there the night I’d been attacked by those frat guys? That he’d kept me safe there for a few days? It didn’t exactly sound great, even though nothing had happened between the two of us.
“Why have you been here?” he spoke sharply.
“I told you. Sometimes I do errands for him.”
“Why did you pause? Are you lying to me? You should tell me now, before this becomes too complicated.”
I chewed on my bottom lip. “I don’t want to tell you about what happened when you were gone, because I know how werewolves feel about the humans that swear fealty to them for protection.”
“You’re like my family,” he hung his head, his face was solemn, “I would do anything to protect you if someone tried to hurt you. Why were you in Calix’s loft?”
I looked away from him. There were some things that you had to deal with as a woman by avoiding them. Because, if you stopped to think about it for a second, you might crumble. When it came to that attack…I tried to downplay it. But the truth of it was, it still haunted me. “Um, I was…I was attacked by a group of frat guys. Or at least, they tried to. Calix stopped them before anything could happen. But he brought me here, because I was scared.”
Desmond let out a low growl. “Who were they?”
“Desmond, no,” I told him, “Calix already took care of them.”
“Who. Were. They?!” his gritted his teeth, rage vibrating off of him.
I took a deep breath. “I don’t know their names, Desmond. Remember, I am not your mate. You don’t have to fight my battles for me.”
Desmond clenched his jaw. “Of course. Come on, let’s get you inside.”
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