Free Vaewolf: Damn the Darkness: The Prophecy's Promise (Hearts of Darkness Book 3) by Eliza March Page B

remaining demon stood his ground, then reconsidered and escaped with the rest. I guess Jackson’s appearance was a might too intimidating, no?”
    “Aye, a bit,” Dylan agreed. The vaewolf was nothing if not the most intimidating beast around. He was powerful beyond measure, and the fact the wolf and vampire characteristics morphed in and out as if he was more than one entity was a trip to watch. Normally, he was the size of a Werewolf, but Jackson’s additional demi-god blood enhanced the vampire fright factor. When he took on the characteristics of the vaewolf, even the ground shuddered beneath his feet.
    “Demons and more rogue jaguars?” Dylan cursed, “Damn! We can’t catch a break. I need to get out there with Delavega—”
    “For now, Jackson handled them. You let us worry about security while you take care of business. If stasis approaches, your mate will need you. Jackson made good decisions, yesterday. Earned the respect from the pack he was hunting with.”
    “Aye. All important factors for him inevitably to assume his role as leader. He’s right on track.”
    “You should be proud of the man you helped raise, mon ami .”
    “Me? You too, Garr. You’ve made his acceptance by the various shifter packs seamless. I know Niccolai would appreciate all you’ve done.”
    Garr waved the compliment off with a hand and gave Dylan what he’d come to know was a smile, though most would claim he was snarling. “Get ready,” Garr warned. “He plans to begin training with you again soon—three or four full moons from now. And by then, he should have attained the balance of his control.”
    “Good. Anyway, he can fill me in on the details about the encounter,” Dylan said. “He’s earned bragging rights, and it’ll be good to see him.”
    “ Oui. He’ll be relieved to see you, too and have a few hours away from the pack.” Garr rubbed the back of his neck and then ran his forearm across his forehead. “Humid as hell, and the sun’s barely up.”
    “The pressure on Jackson to perform is punishing, I know. You’ve cared for him as well, all these years, Garr, just not out of a sense of responsibility. You think of him as I do—family. I’ve missed having the lad around since he’s been spending more time with the packs.”
    “Man, don’t let him hear you call him a lad. At twenty-nine, he might be a pup to us, but he’s struggling like hell to prove himself. And as you’ll see, doin’ a damn good job, too.”
    The big lycan chuckled and forked his fingers through his hair. Uh, how long had the executive look lasted on the Cajun Werewolf? Fifteen minutes? Tops. So much for the well-groomed look. “Even the alphas have grown to respect him.”
    “Good to know,” Dylan commented, relieved to hear Jackson was bonding well with the pack, and they already accepted him as their future leader. “That respect will come in handy soon enough.”
    “But there’s more leadership training he needs from you, the fae, and the elders. Eventually, the group of vieilles femmes on the vampire council will have to accept his position of leadership, too.”
    Garr’s description of the old, conservative vampires—council members, the ones who opposed Jackson’s imminent leadership—as a bunch of old women was partially accurate. One: they were old—very old—literally ageless men and women in their prime. And anyone who didn’t know how truly old they were, would never guess from their appearance. But two: most of them were men.
    Training, in less than four months? Hell, another thing to worry about. Dylan shrugged one shoulder. “I’m already working with the three new vampires and the Halflings, not to mention Caitlin, so what’s one more? In three or four months, the new ones should have enough experience to deal with Jackson.”
    Garr gave Dylan a half grin again, the one that looked like a snarl. “I’ll see to it Jackson fits his training schedule into yours, and anything he has to do with