Purebreds and Power
Chapter 14

As Han drove, the sun faded into the night sky, the hazy backlight of the golden hour caused a dramatic intermingling of light and shadow.

Much like his beloved and him.

Han had never experienced sunset beyond the walls of his home before. Then again, he never had cause to. It had been two long and lonely days without Lilly, but he did what was best for her. As much as it pained him.

He sent her home.

In 20 short minutes, Han could see how Lilly was. He could check on her health. He could check on her. Only 20 minutes.

It felt like forever.

When Han arrived, the sunset had brought closure to the day and welcomed the long night. Stepping from the car, Han put on his suit coat, and the ornate door to the grand Tudor home opened before he even stepped foot on the doorstep.

“Han! I didn’t think you were going to make it.”

Dax stepped outside, hand extended. Han reciprocated with an uneasy smile.

“Ever been here before?” Dax gestured toward the expansive foyer behind him.

“No. I’ve never had the pleasure.”

“Eckard keeps a lovely home. Lilly, of course, contributed. She’ll make the perfect bride, one day. Can’t wait!” Dax slapped Han on the shoulder. “Excuse me a moment.”

Dax exited through the swinging door amongst a steady flow of servants. Han paid little mind and followed the smell of cigar smoke.

With a confident stride, Han stepped into the formal living room filled with his natural-born enemies.

The carefree banter came to an abrupt halt with the presence of the silent predator. All eyes immediately honed in on Han.

“Why are you here?” Eckard began, stepping forward from the wolves gathering around Han. “Gideon said he would come.”

Gideon invited him to this meeting expecting a negative response as usual but hoping to further business relations. Han jumped at the chance.

“He should be here momentarily.” Han plucked a glass of champagne from the tray next to him and took a sip. The server quickly ducked from the room.

As if on cue, Gideon entered, grabbed a drink, and shook Eckard’s hand.

“Such a lovely home you have. Did I see an orchard?”

“Yes.” Eckard glared left, then right, breaking the visual standoff. “Heritage and organic.”

“Smart. Humans love their ‘natural’ fruits. They’ll pay a small fortune for them, then eat chemically laden food from a restaurant. Ridiculous.” Gideon examined his glass, then took a sip. “And Chinese wisteria?”

“Yes. Like most things, they need training. But they’re beautiful when kept properly pruned.”

“A man after my own heart.” Gideon chuckled. “I’m glad you made it, Han. A chance to develop relations.”

“Not all relations a worth developing.” A new voice interrupted.

“Glad you could finally join us, Lilly.” Eckard snarled. “You remember Gideon and his son, Han.”

“I do.” Lilly extended her hand to Gideon, then wrapped her arm around Dax.

“Oh, babe. I love this top.” Dax rubbed his hand up, then down Lilly’s back. “Do a little…” He gestured with a twirl of his pointer finger. “Why did you change? Not that I’m complaining.”

Lilly smiled and then proceeded to turn around, revealing the low cut to her otherwise modest blouse. Nearly her entire flawless back showed. “When I saw our guests,” she paused for the briefest of moments to catch Han’s eye before looking back to Dax. “I thought I would be warm.”

“Oooh. Nice choice.” Dax wrapped his arm around Lilly, then stroked her back with a lingering touch.

Han couldn’t help but notice. His jaw clenched so tight, he could barely sip his champagne.

“Doesn’t she look lovely, Han?” Dax admired Lilly before kissing her on the temple. Lilly leaned into the touch and gently smiled.

Han dragged his palm over his mouth, touching the corners of his down-turned lips with his fingertips before speaking. “Indeed.”

There Lilly stood, in all her perfect beauty. The image of her broken and bloody body had filled Hans’ waking thoughts for the past couple of days.

Han planned on sneaking a glance of Lilly. Silver left wolves incapacitated–immobile for days, weeks. He feared the worst. Yet here she stood–perfect, unharmed.

Whole.

Han wanted to steal her away, kiss her luscious lips senseless, bathe in her scent. But he couldn’t. Then he realized it was missing.

Her scent.

Han took a deep breath in, holding the air in his lungs before he exhaled.

“Is something the matter, Han?” Lilly toyed with her necklace before sipping her glass of champagne.

“No. There’s nothing.” Han looked hard at Lilly.

“Good.” She smiled. “Excuse me.” Lilly gave Dax a squeeze before stepping away.

Han began to follow when his father drew his attention.

“Han, have you had a chance to meet the others?”

“No, Father. I haven’t.”

“Then come. I’ll introduce you.”

Like a prized pony, Gideon paraded Han around the room, quite happily sharing the relations he cultivated. The high-ranking wolves didn’t care to hide their disdain for the prominent newcomer. With each tenuous introduction, Han’s plan to claim Lilly became more unrealistic.

He didn’t care whether he was liked or not. He always, however, had respect. He earned it. He deserved it. He was fair, most would say. Brutal, but fair.

But he meant nothing in this room. With these beings.

And he had counted on his meaning something. Naively.

As Han and Gideon stepped away from the last wolf, Dax joined them once again.

“Tough room, huh?”

“Nothing my son can’t handle.” Gideon patted Han on the shoulder before holding one finger up. “I’m needed across the room. Excuse me.”

“Don’t mind these guys, Han.” Dax sipped his beer. “All bark, no bite.”

“Interesting.”

“Don’t think that all wolves act this way. We fight amongst ourselves f land and resources on a good day. But we are happy to unite against a common enemy.”

“Me.”

“At least this evening.” Dax smiled, before taking his leave too.

Han took a long swig from his beverage, unable to dull his senses with the sweet liquor. Laughter filled the room. Yet Han didn’t partake in the conversation. He didn’t want to really. He didn’t need to.

Until now.

His kind had no use for frivolous meetings. They gathered and hoarded. They had more than they needed. Han had more than he needed.

Except Lilly.

She stood talking to several males, obviously immune to their crude humor and obnoxious chit-chat. Her smile never dulled, and neither did her stand-offish countenance.

So close, yet so far.

Han planned to take Lilly as his own, his usual way. Simply take. Dax certainly couldn’t compare to him. Of that, there was no question.

But this room full of wolves turned out to be another beast entirely. In his pompous attitude, Han saw his flaw. He would need to rethink his steps, re-plan his next moves. He now knew the enemy he faced. In his devices and calculations, he, once again, could see victory.

—

As the evening drew to a close, Han finally faced Lilly again as he approached the front door. She had dodged his company and his steely gaze all evening.

“Thank you for joining us.” Lilly extended her hand.

“My pleasure.” Han stared at her without blinking.

“Well, then...” Lilly clasped her hands in front of her. “Until next time.”

“Yes, until next time.”

Han turned on his heel, and strutted toward his luxury sedan. He slouched down on the cold leather seats, secure behind the tinted glass. He straightened and leaned on the headrest, closing his eyes. He inhaled deeply. And exhaled just the same.

The ride home would be long and lonely, but he had seen his Lilly. She was healthy and appeared strong–more than he hoped for. He would need to be satisfied with that.

He had to be.

With another deep breath, Hen started the journey home with his favorite symphony and contemplation for company.

Nearing the edge of the pack land, Han started to feel restless, as though he was being watched. His eyes swept the woods lining the road, but he did not see anything.

With a lightning-fast reaction, Han slammed on the brakes, stopping inches from the creature now blocking the road.

A wolf.