“What’s up?” Emory asked, standing so Mary remained protected behind him.
“Get back inside.” Diskant motioned to Emory and Mary, indicating they should move with a wave. “It’s not safe out here.”
“Do you think they understand how important this is?”
It took Trey a second to comprehend Sadie was communicating with him telepathically, keeping the conversation between the two of them. He turned his full attention to her, peering down. Her brilliant blue eyes met his. He wasn’t entirely sure how it worked, so he simply thought back to her.
“Yes.”
“Good.” She sounded so tired. He wanted to take her to bed, shield her in his arms and watch over her as she got the rest she obviously needed. Her lips curved slightly at the corners into a small, knowing smile. “I’m not sleepy, just drained.” There was laughter in the thought. “I’ll be back to fighting form in a little while.”
“I don’t want you in fighting form.”
The thought of her fighting for her life, facing Aldon on her own…
He growled and lifted his head to find everyone staring at him. He swiftly lowered his head, cursing himself. They didn’t know he had been talking to Sadie. How could they? He probably appeared totally unhinged in their eyes, likely to go off at any second. Hopefully they thought the attitude was normal.
Newly mated males were known to be pissy.
Diskant urged Ava into the nearest recliner. “Get off your feet, Ava mine,” he whispered, stroking her hair.
She didn’t protest, settling into the plush furniture with a sigh. She’d gotten past the first trimester of pregnancy and her constant fatigue worried the Omega more often than not. It was the reason Diskant had returned the status of Alpha of the pack to Trey—so he could ensure Ava carried and delivered their child without any undue stress.
So much for that.
Trey took a seat on the sofa, keeping Sadie nestled against him. She sighed and rested her head beneath his chin. Her exhaustion beat at him. His brave little mate was more delicate than she thought. Good thing he’d found her. She wouldn’t have to face the world alone. He’d keep her safe. Make her happy. No more fuckups. No more stupid mistakes brought on by his stubbornness and dedication to the pack. Since he’d come to Diskant, the cat was officially out of the bag. He wouldn’t take back his claim on her—even if he could—no matter if it cost him everything.
Emory had taken Mary to the fireplace. She rolled her eyes when, once again, he placed her behind him. She wrapped her hand around his arm and stepped in beside him. The glare he gave her promised a future punishment but she didn’t seem fazed. Instead she smiled at him, her doe-brown eyes brimming with love.
An invisible fist squeezed Trey’s heart.
If Sadie had any love for him before, had he destroyed it? Had his dumb ass managed to ruin the only good thing he’d ever have in his life? He ran his hand over her head, enjoying the feel of her hair against his palm. It was going to be hell gaining her trust. Women had the memory of elephants. Even if she forgave, she’d never forget.
Fuck me.
“Keep thinking such sweet things and I just might,” Sadie purred in his head.
Son of a bitch. Fuck me twice.
“Sneaking around in my head, are you?” he thought back, wanting to give her ass a hard slap for the intrusion. Not because he minded—her awareness of how he felt would give the leverage he needed. His intentions didn’t stem from anger or agitation. The thought of her perfectly rounded rear turning a nice shade of pink from a few well-aimed pats turned him on.
“Does anyone want to give me a clue about what’s going on?” Emory asked briskly, studying Trey. “Why have you brought a vampire to our home?”
“She’s mine, brother,” Trey growled, warning the male to tread lightly.
“Yours?” Emory frowned and his nostrils flared as he scented the air. “She’s a leech.”
Trey felt Sadie tense against him, Emory’s hateful words piercing her like daggers.
“Say that again and I’ll rip you a new asshole.” And he would, sure as shit. “I’m making it clear here and now. Vampire or not, she’s my mate. Deal with it or get the fuck out.”
“Zip it, diptwats,” Diskant muttered, shaking his head. His eyes drifted to his mate. “Shut the fuck up. We’ve got other shit to think about.”
“How so?” Emory might have seemed at ease but Trey knew better.
As a family member of Shepherds, Mary remained in a constant state of danger. Plus Emory wasn’t stupid. Under normal circumstances Diskant would have forced Trey to leave with Sadie. Shifters and vampires didn’t mate. Especially not with Alphas. Yet here the Omega was, welcoming Sadie to the fold. Emory recognized and understood that.
Smart man.
“Tell me everything,” Emory ordered.
“Fuck, I don’t even know where to start,” Diskant conceded, lips molded into a scowl. “Ava’s brother has put another target on our asses. We’re dealing with some heavy shit.” Moving from his mate, he started pacing. “We’re going to have to arrange a meeting with the pack. It’s not going to go well. First we’ll have to get them to accept Trey’s mating. Assuming they do, we’re going to have to tell them what’s about to happen to the city. They’re not going to take the news lightly. Most of them will probably cut and run.”
“What news?” Emory snapped and Mary shifted closer to his side. “Answer me.”
“Remember the vampires that attacked Ava the night I found her?” Emory nodded and Diskant said, “They were sent by someone—a master vampire to be precise.” He glanced at Sadie and Trey before he continued, “It’s Aldon. He’s into some deranged shit.”
Emory’s irises flashed amber as he nailed Trey with an accusing glare. “I thought you said we could trust him.”
“I was wrong.” Talk about an understatement. He’d been more than wrong about the vampire. He’d been stupid as hell. “He’s been planning something big for months. I had no idea.” He rested a hand on Sadie’s thigh and gave it a squeeze. “If it wasn’t for Sadie none of us would have known what was happening until it was too late. He’d have taken us down with a snap of his fingers.”
“Isn’t that convenient?” Emory’s livid gaze intensified, irises becoming yellow. “Maybe you’re too blind to see what’s going on. Maybe she’s trying to play you. That’s what vampires do. Or have you forgotten? She’s probably not even your mate. They use magic to trick people and you’re wrapping yourself around her finger like a pussy-whipped pup.” Emory gazed around the room. “Am I the only one who finds all of this a tad suspicious?”
“Emory,” Diskant snarled, “Simon says shut the fuck up.” Their Omega stopped pacing and faced Emory and Mary. “If you don’t want to have faith in your brother then have it in me. Do you honestly think I’d have welcomed a vampire if I didn’t have a good fucking reason? Do you honestly think I’d put Ava or Mary in harm’s way? I’m going to tell you what’s going on, there’s just a lot of ground to cover. I’m trying to sort this shit out in my head.”
Sadie tried to rise from Trey’s lap. “I can show him.”
“No,” Trey snapped, planting his arm over her midsection. “You’re too weak. You need to rest.”
“It’s not as hard to communicate with one person.” She leveled him with a determined look. “We need to clear the air. This is the fastest way to do it.” When he opened his mouth to argue she shook her head. “We’ve wasted enough time. We have to find Leigh.”
God, he hated it when he didn’t get his way. But she was right.