Man in the Middle [Wolf Creek Pack 9] by Stormy Glenn Page B

vampire, aren’t you?”
    Dominic chuckled. “You know, Justin asked the very same thing.”
    “That doesn’t answer my question.”
    “Yes, Taylor, I am a vampire.”
    Fuck!
    How had he not known that? Looking at the sveltely dressed man, it seemed clear as day now. Even with his deeply tanned skin, Dominic screamed vampire. There was just an air of power about him, a presence that screamed danger.
    The sharp-looking fangs were a dead giveaway, too.
    “Okay, so you’re a vampire.” Wow, talk about an understatement. “That doesn’t mean that Justin is a vampire as well.”
    “Normally, I would say that is true, Taylor,” Dominic said, “but in this case, it does. Because Justin allowed his medication to wear off, his vampire genetics had a chance to come out. My second-in-command, Sully, was able to detect them when he rescued Justin. He brought him here as we are the only coven in the area.”
    Taylor frowned. “I don’t understand. Assuming I believe you, which at this point, I don’t, but explain it to me anyway. What does Justin’s medication have to do with him being a vampire?”
    “Fair enough.”
    Taylor was really glad when the vampire prince smiled instead of having his head chopped off. Wasn’t that what royalty did when someone disagreed with them?
    “Vampires, much like shifters and humans, give off a scent. It helps others of our kind tell each other apart. With each of us, there is a general scent that says vampire or wolf or whatever. After that, we each have our own unique scent that separates us from others of our kind.”
    “Does Chase have a scent?”
    “Yes, he does. You also have a scent that tells me that Chase is your mate.”
    Taylor’s eyebrows shot up in shock. “I have a scent that tells you we’re mates?” Gods, he prayed the prince couldn’t smell sex on him. Wouldn’t that be totally embarrassing? Taylor’s eyes slid to Chase, and he felt the heat creep across his face. But if either man noticed, they didn’t say anything.
    “Yes.” Dominic nodded. “When your mate claims you, you retain some of his scent. It’s what tells others of our kind that you have been claimed and to keep their hands off. Vampires have the very same thing.”
    Taylor mulled this over in his head, wondering if Chase could tell the difference in his scent. He also wondered if anyone else could. Would Nate or Joe smell the difference in him now that he had mated with Chase? Would Justin?
    “Did someone bite Justin and make him a vampire?” he asked. “Could something have happened to him that made him this way?”
    “No, Taylor, I do not believe so. Most of my people are born vampires. However there is a virus in our bloodstream that can transform someone into a vampire, but only if they have the vampire gene. Every vampire has it. It’s what makes us vampires. For humans, if they have the gene and are bitten by a vampire, it transforms them into a vampire. If they don’t have the gene, it doesn’t affect them.”
    “So, someone could have bitten him?” It was the only explanation Taylor could think of. There just couldn’t be any way that his sweet little Justin was a vampire. They drank blood and stuff, icky stuff. Justin got nauseous at a cut on his finger. He’d never survive if he had to drink blood.
    “I do not believe that is the case where Justin is concerned.” Dominic looked grim for a moment, as if what he had to share wasn’t something he really wanted share. “I believe that Justin was a born vampire and that his vampire genetics are being suppressed by the medication he is taking.”
    “Suppressed how?”
    “Justin’s medication is for regulating his blood sugar level, correct?
    Taylor nodded. “Yes.”
    “When Justin doesn’t take his medication, he begins to get sick. He begins to feel anxious. His mouth dries out, and he can become nauseous. He might become slightly confused and dazed.” The prince cocked an eyebrow. “Correct?”
    “Yes,” Taylor