A Very Levet Christmas (Guardians of Eternity)

Sera gave a shake of her head. “Only you can halt disaster.”


“But . . .” Levet was on the point of confessing that while his magic was formidable, it might not be quite powerful enough to halt a purebred Were, when there was a swirl of sparkles dancing around him. His eyes widened, his tail tucking between his legs as the sparkles twirled around him, faster and faster. Then, without warning, Levet felt a tug deep inside him, and he was lifted off his feet and was flying through the air at a blurring speed. “Eek!”





The King of Weres’ Lair in St. Louis





Salvatore hadn’t become leader of the pure-blood Weres because of his dark beauty, or even his ruthless ambition. He was the king because his wolf was stronger, faster, and more cunning than any other. And because his human side was capable of maintaining an icy control that was rare among hot-blooded Weres.

His infamous control, however, was being tested to the limit by the constant flow of guests who insisted on intruding into his private lair.

Every instinct inside him was on full, lethal alert.

Not surprising, of course, considering his mate was still weakened from childbirth and his five newborn babes were utterly dependent on him for protection. But Salvatore knew there was more to his unease than the basic need to defend his family.

There was a persistent sense of approaching danger he couldn’t shake.

Cristo.

If it weren’t imperative that the pack leaders be allowed to pay their respects to his children, he’d have ripped out the throat of the first person to try and get through the door. Unfortunately, the Were had waited far too long for this day for him to simply turn them away.

Trying his best to contain his rabid wolf, Salvatore stood guard at the entrance to the hallway that led to his private rooms.

He’d allowed the guests to ooh and aah over Harley and the babies; now they could drink the champagne he’d provided by the crateful. In another twenty minutes he intended to kick their furry asses out of his house.

Duty done.

His dark, restless gaze searched the crowd, landing on the massive cur who’d just entered the elegant living room that Harley had decorated in soft shades of peach and cream.

Salvatore touched the knot of his silver tie that had been selected to match the buttons on his blue Gucci suit. It was a silent signal to his chief of security that he could approach.

Obediently, Hess skirted the edge of the crowd, his gaze carefully lowered. The room was filled with a bunch of overly aggressive Weres who were always looking for a fight. The cur knew better than to accidentally offer a challenge.

Hess halted at Salvatore’s side, his head lowered in respect.

“Well?” Salvatore demanded, his voice pitched so it wouldn’t carry through the noisy room.

He hadn’t remained king by sharing the ins and outs of his private security with a group of potential rivals for the throne.

“The perimeters are secure,” Hess assured him.

“You’ve doubled the guards?”

It was at least the tenth time he’d asked the question since the birth of his children, but Hess nodded without rolling his eyes.

“Yes.”

“Any troubles?”

Hess curled back his lips to reveal his enlarged canines. “That damned gargoyle tried to sneak past me.”

“Levet?” Salvatore’s brows snapped together. What the hell was that pest doing here? “You didn’t let him pass, did you?”

“Hell no.”

“Good.” Salvatore’s gaze continued to sweep the room; he glared at any guest who strayed too close. “Harley might be ridiculously fond of the annoying creature, but I’ll be damned if I’ll allow him near her or the babies. The idiot would probably blow up the lair trying to demonstrate some new magic trick.”

“He’s a menace,” Hess readily agreed.

Salvatore glanced over his shoulder, making sure the door to his mate’s room was closed.

“Of course, it might be best if you didn’t mention Levet’s attempt to visit,” he said. His mate could be unreasonable when he tried to . . . shield her for her own good. She might not understand his need to protect her when she was not at full strength. “Harley has far too soft of a heart for her own good.”

“You can trust me,” Hess murmured.

“Always.” Salvatore briefly laid his hand on Hess’s shoulder. This cur had been his most trusted soldier for years. “Return to your post.”

Waiting for Hess to head out of the room, Salvatore counted to ten before he turned to make his way down the hallway.

Dammit. All he wanted was to be alone with Harley and their babies.

Was that really so much to ask?

Silently slipping into the darkened room, Salvatore closed the door behind him and headed toward the large crib where five tiny babies slept in a tangled pile. Unlike human babes, Weres needed the heat and comfort of their pack. They were also far stronger than mortals, although that didn’t halt Salvatore’s sharp stab of fear as he gazed down at the tiny creatures.