Intent on His claim (Beauty and the Beast #3)

Chapter 54

Warren stepped out into the cool night air, feeling extremely satisfied with himself. He gazed up at the moonless sky, just drinking it in, then stepped towards the pack. On cue, Roy and Colin went inside to clean up his mess and get rid of the vampire pieces.

Nate merely handed Warren a can of soda, knowing better than to speak just yet. Warren sat down on the steps and cracked the can open. Nate sat down next to him and they drank in silence. Noticing the torn condition of his jacket, Warren made a disgusted face and took it off. He rescued his shades from a pocket before he threw the offending item aside. At peace again, he merely continued to gaze at the sky.

Nate listened as Roy and Colin marveled at how savagely Warren had ripped through his opponents, hiding an awed smile at some of the details. Soon, Roy and Colin returned having disposed of every last piece. At a nod from Nate, they disappeared for patrol.

Warren stood up absently crushing the can in his hand. "Come, impress me with the sights in your fair city."

Nate rolled his eyes but stood too. "Yeah, no way I'm letting you near civilians."

Warren tipped his head. "What do you propose, then?"

About an hour later, Warren stood at the railing of the sky lounge watching the traffic below.

It had been Nate's idea to rent out the lounge and as he stood in the relative quiet, Warren sighed. A little peace was perhaps what he had been needing for a couple of days now.

He considered briefly ordering a light meal then laughed to himself, wondering what Annabelle would have chosen from the varied menu. Which of course led him to wonder what she had been faring on since she left. If she was eating well. She at times neglected meals...

Warren frowned at the slight sting in his palm and glanced down at the glass he'd crushed in his hand. He rolled his eyes again and shook the shards off.

"Can't remember the last time I saw you brood this hard." Nate came to stand next to him, holding out a napkin.

Warren took the paper and cleaned his wound.

"Wanna tell me what’s up, alpha?"

"Be more specific," Warren clipped, dropping the soiled napkin in a bin before walking back to their table. It appeared Nate had already ordered.

"About Belle. Is what you said in there true?" Nate had followed him and settled opposite him at the table.

Warren picked up another glass and toyed with the liquid in it, studying it in amusement. "Leave it."

Nate chucked a pea at Warren’s head. "Don’t be a jerk."

Pure reflex – and a childish desire to annoy Nate – had him catching it in his hand. "Do not throw your food."

"What are you, my mother?" he sat up, deciding not to let it go. "Since you came in person, I’m figuring you wanted to talk."

Warren looked away, staring unseeingly at the skyline. "No, that is the only thing I did not desire from this meeting. I only needed to…destroy."

"Do I seriously have to ask again?"

Warren set the glass down. It appeared Nathaniel was intent on this inquisition. "Annabelle is on a quest to find some spirit that’s calling to her across…whatever. And at the moment, I cannot join her in this quest."

"Why’d she leave?" Nate asked gently.

"Apparently to keep me from harm."

Nate burst out laughing. "She's protecting you? You losing your touch, alpha?"