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his head. “I wanted you to see the lodgings that would house your guests in the coming weeks.”
    All four men followed Raymond Smith. The lodgings were far enough from the town surrounded by trees to obscure it from the village. No human would go this far out of town unless they had a death wish.
    The rivers and lakes were along the opposite side.
    Raymond handed the key to him. “This property is yours. You’ll need to invite the vampires in as they can’t trespass on named property.”
    “You’ve been doing your research,” Darcy said.
    “I came to Grace Hill to get away from the city and to also explore what I’d witnessed. The creatures that go bump in the night fascinate me. I wish to extend all my knowledge to you and to my alpha,” Raymond said.
    Vivian had been mind-fucked by a vampire. She’d invited the vampire into their home, where he’d almost killed her and Elle. Brandon tightened his hands into fists as the past threat on his mate fully struck his mind. Raymond had gotten lucky and taken the bastard down who’d drained Vivian to the point of death and almost killed his daughter.
    Darcy was the one responsible for accepting new families and answering the calls of the humans. Their connections with the witches meant Darcy made sure to wipe the memory of Elle and her mother. Being drained to the point of death can affect humans’ minds as they are weak. His men didn’t want to take any chances on the family being brought to Grace Hill. Brandon hadn’t paid much attention when Darcy had explained about the new human family joining their town five years ago. He’d be getting the whole story later tonight. Any threat against his mate was a threat to him.
    Opening the door, Brandon entered the luxurious lodgings.
    “There is plenty of space for the witches and warlocks. The bears have the rooms with the large doors. I did some reading about the bears , and they’re not known for their control during the change. I made sure to accommodate that,” Raymond said.
    Brandon moved through each room feeling his men follow behind him.
    “The, erm, vampires will have their rooms in the basement. I’ve also made sure to have a cross nailed on every door in the town. Through my readings I’ve discovered some old vampires don’t require an invitation , but a cross should do the trick.”
    Brandon nodded. He patted the man on the back. “I know you fear the vampires. This meeting is essential to all our kind. Every year we meet, and it has been like this for many years.” The meeting talked about important Otherworld business, including the uprising of other paranormal groups. Brandon wasn’t the only alpha in the world. His pack was protected because of the deals he’d made with warlocks and witches. Other packs were not as lucky.
    “I trust your judgement,” Raymond said.
    ****
    “You’re not enjoying yourself,” Layla said.
    Elle smiled at her friend. “It’s kind of hard to enjoy yourself when half the pack is glaring at you.”
    She’d noticed the way the men were assessing her , and the women were sneering at her. Their gazes let her know they didn’t approve of her as his choice of mate.
    Why me? Why did he have to pick me?
    “It doesn’t matter what they think or feel. You’re his mate. Nothing anyone does is going to change that.”
    Layla kept her arms around Elle.
    Holding onto her hands, she moved them away from her. “I’m not ready for this. I’m going to help pack away the tables.”
    “You shouldn’t leave the floor. Brandon told you not to.”
    “Dancing is not helping my situation.” She gave Layla a quick hug before heading toward the last couple of tables.
    Ignoring the stares, she grabbed the pots and took them through to the appropriate houses. She smiled at the families as she handed them their pots back.
    On her third trip back to the table she was stopped by a thin woman with her arms folded underneath her small breasts.
    “Excuse me,” Elle said.
    “Why