TWISTED FATES BOOK 1: THE FIRST TWIST by Jacklyn Rogers (read after TXT) 📕

yoga workout and an hour sparing session in the penthouse’s private gym. I then went for a good fifty lap swim in the gorgeous pool that’s out on our balcony. It was already past noon, so I decided to give my muscles a relaxing dip in the huge Jacuzzi tub located in the master suite. The thing is ginormous; I swear you can fit a good three to four people easily.  I leaned back and let the warm pulsing jets soothe the muscles in my back and closed my eyes, enjoying the relaxing sensation. I’m not sure how long I was in there when I felt the presence of another person joining me all of a sudden. I opened my eyes and smiled as my beautiful vampire climbed in behind me, encircling me with his strong arms.

“This is utter heaven.” I moaned. Jareth chuckled and gave me light butterfly kisses along my neck as I leaned into his firm chest. “What time is the dinner meeting with the wolf guy anyway?” I inquired lazily. Not gonna lie but I was enjoying myself too much just lazing around with my Jareth.

I could tell Jareth found my terminology amusing as he smirked. “Oh, Samantha, you are truly a delight. The wolf guy, as you so jestingly put it, is, in fact, the Alpha for the Blood Moon Pack.” He continued, “The meeting today is to come to an amicable agreement between his pack and the Vampire Council. It seems that the Blood Moons are the largest wolf pack in the Midwestern region, and they recently acquired a hundred or so additional pack members. Evidently, several rogues have decided to succumb to the pack’s Alpha for protection and will be requiring homes. Unfortunately, the Blood Moon’s territory is not large enough, and they are asking for the Council to allow a few parcels of our lands in exchange for an alliance.”

“That seems like a good deal … doesn’t it,” I ask curiously.

“Well, technically, yes, Samantha. There are benefits to forming an alliance between the Blood Moons and the Council. But we also need to ensure that stipulations are in place in order to maintain a diplomatic balance. I have submitted several proposals with the Council. It seems that finally, we have all come to an agreement on which one we shall be presenting to this Alpha Montgomery.”

Hmmm … why does that name sound vaguely familiar? I asked myself as Jareth continued.

“The proposal that I have devised will be such that we shall allot one hundred parcels within the southwestern portion of our territory. This new border will still be a safe distance from the Council members but shall place our property, yours and mine Samantha, within approximately five miles from their pack.”

“Whoa, wait … isn’t that dangerous? Why are we having these rabid mutts so close to our home, Jareth?” I was not too fond of knowing that a pack of wild dogs would be living so close to Jareth and me – not one bit. Mostly since I’m still a newb at being a vampire and fairly sure Jareth won’t be able to take me with him on all his business dealings. This little dilemma would mean that there are times when I’d be left alone.

Yep, I definitely don’t like it.

“Samantha …” Jareth replied pacifyingly. He must have sensed my anxiety, not that it wasn’t pretty obvious. “I assure you love; you have nothing to fret about. As I said, there will be stipulations on both ends, ensuring that things remain peaceful. While the Blood Moons shall be rather near the proximity of our home, the Council is also placing several of our own strongest members alongside the border as well. We have also necessitated that the Alpha, his Beta, and his Gamma reside along our border. This was set up as a safeguard to ensure that their pack does not cross into our territory. Placing the Pack's, leaders so close to the Vampire’s border ensures that there will be accountability. If the wolves get past their leaders, who can force the lesser pack members into submission, it shall be deemed an act of war; if that should happen, then the Vampire Council shan’t hesitate to strike. The same accountability falls into my responsibility as well. Those whom I will be placing along the border are all linked to me through our sire bond, and I, in turn. I am linked directly to the Council who can force our kind to submit as well. Should any vampire cross over into the Blood Moon’s land without consent, then it would mean that the Council or I allowed it as a pronouncement of war. So, I assure you, my love, there is no imminent danger. Neither party wishes to wage war against the other. Although, if that would ever happen, I would ensure that you remained unharmed and safe always.” Jareth wrapped his arms tightly around me and kissed me in an attempt to appease my discomfort. I could feel the love and comfort he was trying to relay through his actions, and it warmed my non-beating heart to no end. I would have to have faith in what he and the Council are planning and trust in Jareth. If I knew anything, it was that I trusted Jareth without question. It was these wolves that I knew absolutely nothing about other than what I saw in the movies and TV that had me nervous. I was glad that Jareth was having me accompany him to this dinner meeting with the Blood Moon Alpha, Mr. Montgomery. I wanted to see for myself if this wolf guy could be trusted or not. And if he so much as acted the least bit suspish, I wouldn’t hesitate to call his muttly ass out on it.

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By the time dinner came around, I was a bit apprehensive. I know that Jareth explained that this was a lovely peaceful dinner meeting, even if vampires