Her heart sank to her stomach and she felt lightheaded.
One hit from Emory and Trey, she might survive.
One hit from the man staring at her and they’d be scraping her carcass off the floor.
Fucking shit!
Emory jumped away from Trey, ignored Diskant and strode to Mary. Fear was coming off her in waves, covering the room in the smell of her terror. Her eyes remained glued to Diskant, the brown pools growing wide as saucers. When Emory reached her he yanked her into his chest, obscured her from view and covered the top of her head with his hand. She remained board stiff, her arms limp at her sides.
Goddamn Trey!
Mary had been receptive to his advances until his older sibling had ruined everything. Now she was as terrified as he remembered her being weeks before, after she’d seen him partially change. Carefully, he stroked her hair and murmured soft nothings to her. She didn’t fight him but she didn’t relax. He considered showing his brother the damage he’d done and demand Trey apologize but he didn’t want to make things worse. Instead he continued gentling her with his touch, keeping her close.
“It’s okay,” he whispered. “I made a promise to you and I won’t break it. Trust me, Mary. All you have to do is trust me.”
“Is she okay?” Diskant’s voice was softer than usual—no doubt to ease Mary’s fear—although Emory could tell the Omega was furious.
“She’s in shock.” Emory kept his tone level as he feathered his fingers over her hair. “It’s too much too soon.”
“I told you to give them time alone.” By the outrage in Diskant’s voice, Emory knew he was directing his attention to Trey. “What the hell did you do?”
“If I’d given them anymore time alone he’d be indisposed until they were fully bloodbonded.” To his credit, Trey had the decency to sound uncomfortable. “I only wanted an answer to my question. Emory flew off the handle.”
“He’s just been reunited with his female, dipfuck. I allowed you to stay so long as you didn’t interfere with his personal shit.” Diskant paused and Emory felt the weight of the Omega’s gaze on his back. “And from where I’m standing you not only interfered, you inserted yourself right in the fucking middle.”
“It wasn’t like that, D.”
“Get out.”
Emory didn’t have to turn to see the look Diskant was aiming at Trey, he could visualize it. Despite the fact that Trey was older than Diskant and had been his Alpha once upon a time, Diskant wasn’t someone any shifter wanted to fuck with. It wasn’t any wonder Mary had been terrified. At six feet, six inches and well over two hundred and fifty pounds, Diskant Black stood taller than most men inside a room. And he didn’t ask anyone to do anything, he told them to. If you were unlucky enough to receive negative attention from the bastard, it was best to do what he said and move the fuck along.
“And my answer?” Trey asked, continuing to tempt disaster.
“Go down to the basement and make yourself a drink or five. Ava invited a few females over to welcome all of you home so do yourself a favor and take a load off. You need to get your shit straight and mellow out. Answers from my guest are my problem to deal with. The pack is no longer yours, it’s mine. You’re crossing the line with me and I won’t have it. If you don’t prioritize, I will.”
This time Trey didn’t respond.
Emory heard the crackle of wood as someone stepped on a piece of the shattered door and exited the room. As Trey’s scent faded, Emory stepped back and looked at Mary. It felt like something squeezed his heart, applying pressure until it was difficult to draw in air. Poor thing was trying not to panic, taking shallow breaths. She wouldn’t look at him and kept her face forward so that her gaze remained on his chest.
“Ava mine,” Diskant called to his mate. “We need you, baby.”
“I’m here,” Ava said softly and Emory waited as she approached.
It was hard to believe Diskant had mated a female who could read human thoughts and manipulate emotion. A few of the older pack mates believed it was a blessing, a way to keep the pack safe from those who were unaware of their existence. Personally Emory hadn’t given it much thought.
Until now.
If Ava could ease Mary’s fear, he’d gladly accept any help she offered.
When he started to step aside Mary suddenly came to life and grasped his arms. Her nails scraped and pierced his skin as she buried them in his biceps and pulled him close.
“Stay where you are, Emory,” Ava instructed, reaching out and placing her fingers on Mary’s forehead. “She doesn’t want you to go. She’s just got a lot running through her head.” Ava sighed after a moment and glanced over her shoulder. “Diskant managed to scare the poor thing. Next time I’ll have to remind him that we don’t break down doors to greet guests.”
Diskant strode over and placed his hands on Ava’s shoulders. “I thought I should break the fight up sooner rather than later.”
“Neanderthal,” Ava scolded.
“And you love it.”
Ava ignored him and concentrated on Mary. The tiny female stared at his mate for well over a minute, her irises shifting from light to dark blue. After a moment Mary blinked several times, as if shaking off a haze, and looked at Ava.
“We were just talking, but we didn’t speak.”
“You’re right,” Ava said encouragingly. “We were talking but we didn’t speak.”
“How…” Mary reached for the neatly stitched wound near her temple. “It’s head trauma, isn’t it? I’ve lost my marbles. I’m in La La Land.”
“You’re fine.” Ava lowered her hand. “It’s a gift I have—telepathy. I use it when I need to.”
“Telepathy?” Mary echoed disbelievingly.
“Telepathy,” Ava confirmed. “Watch.”
Mary’s eyes flared wide and she gaped at Ava. They gazed at each other, eyes locked and focused. After several seconds the alarm in Mary’s expression changed to one of wonder. Her eyes drifted to Diskant.
“Really?” she asked, watching the Omega. “You can?”
“Oh yeah.” Ava nodded and grinned.
“Can what?” Emory asked.
“She said she can control him.” Mary continued staring at Diskant, a frown forming on her expressive face. “I’m not sure I believe her.”
“She controls me, huh?” Diskant purred and slid the hand resting on Ava’s shoulder down her back and placed it on her ass. “Is that what you told her, mate?”
Ava cleared her throat and Emory saw her squirm against Diskant’s hand. “Drop to a knee and show Mary you’re as gentle as a kitten,” Ava murmured thickly. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
Just like that, the Omega was on his knees. He rubbed his chin on his mate’s arm and winked at Mary. “See?” he said in a low timbre that Emory knew had everything to do with the sexual promise in Ava’s request. “Harmless as a newborn.”
Then, like the sun parting the clouds and sucking up all the gloom from the day, Mary smiled. It was a small gesture, the slight lifting of her lips at the corners, nothing at all like the full-fledged grins she’d given him in the past. But damn it, it was a fucking smile. In light of how terrified she’d been, he’d take it.
“Are you satisfied now?” Diskant smiled at Mary and cocked his head to the side. “Or do I have to debase myself more than I already have?”