Free Wolf's Fall by J.D. Tyler Page A

laughed.
    â€œIdiot,” Nick muttered.
    As much as they annoyed him sometimes, though, there was a time not so long ago when his men hadn’t felt comfortable enough with him to jokearound. Except for Kalen, they’d all served under the team’s late commander, Terry Noble, and the teasing meant they’d come a long way toward accepting Nick since Terry’s death. He had to admit it was kind of nice.
    Outside, the vampire guards were waiting and each one took hold of one of their arms. Even Hammer, though the big man protested. Apparently, Tarron’s men took their jobs seriously.
    After a few disorienting seconds, they appeared in a gigantic ballroom Nick hadn’t seen on their previous stay at the vampire stronghold. The space was stunning, with crystal chandeliers hanging overhead, glittering crystal glasses of every type of liquor, not to mention crimson liquid his wolf could smell was blood. Either donated or purchased through a blood bank, of course.
    Long tables were filled with food at each end of the room because vampires did have to eat, same as anyone else. Pleasant music—and he used that phrase loosely—was being piped in through hidden speakers, but there was also an area set up for a live orchestra to perform later. Likely more elevator music.
    Idly, Nick wondered what they would do if he found the sound system and blasted in a little Alice in Chains or Slipknot.
    Before he could be seriously tempted, Tarron spotted him and headed over, a welcoming smile on his face. He stuck out a hand and Nick shook it.
    â€œCommander, so glad you could come! Calla told me she invited you and some of your men to join the festivities. A bit of PR between species never hurts, I say.”
    Nick wasn’t here for the damned PR, but wisely refrained from saying so.
    â€œRight.”
    Tarron greeted Nick’s men and shook their hands as well before turning back to him. “You’re completely healed, I hope. You had us all worried last week.” The vampire studied him with genuine concern.
    â€œI’m good as new. Thanks for asking.” Just then, a waiter stopped by and held out a tray loaded with beer, wine, and champagne. Nick snagged a glass of beer and the man hurried off. “Is the waitstaff all vampire?”
    â€œMostly, with a shifter or some other creature thrown in here and there. For events like these, I always have to hire some staff from the outside, and there aren’t many humans I trust.”
    â€œI hate to break it to you, but there are plenty of our kind that aren’t trustworthy, either.”
    â€œTrue. But at least if things go south, the fewer humans in on our secrets, or in the line of fire, the better.”
    â€œAlso true,” Nick conceded. He couldn’t stop himself from searching the crowd as they spoke.
    â€œLooking for my sister?”
    â€œIs it that obvious?”
    â€œProbably only to me.” There were questions in the vampire’s eyes, and hovering on his lips. That much was obvious, too. But either he’d decided to respect his sister’s wishes on prying further, or he’d given up on getting answers before they were ready to be given.
    â€œSo, why don’t you introduce me to some of your friends?”
    Tarron accepted the change of subject gracefully. “I’d love to. Though I wouldn’t call most of them friends,” he said under his breath, for Nick’s ears only. “Present company excluded.”
    Nick flashed him a smile. He wouldn’t exactly call Tarron and himself friends yet, either, but the potential was there. As long as the man didn’t drain him dry for messing with his sister.
    That brought a host of unpleasant memories and he fought to retain his hard-won calm. He fought to forget where he was, and among whom. His men were here, and between all of them they could put up a good fight if need be.
    That didn’t stop the cold sweat from breaking out