“It is for you,” she said sharply, as though she caught the glimmer of empathy. “I’m the enemy but they can kill me. You, on the other hand, are a threat. You’d better tread softly and grow eyes in the back of your head.”
Then—sliding into Mary’s head—Sadie recognized the source of her apathy. It was harsh, bitter and resentful. Mary didn’t like Sadie being at the house. She’d been willing to give things a chance but had quickly changed her mind. In Mary’s mind the sooner Sadie got the hell away from her home the better.
A vampire was too dangerous.
Especially around pregnant women.
“You think I’m a danger to Ava?” she snapped. The notion really pissed Sadie off. “You think I’d harm a pregnant woman and her fucking child?”
“I don’t know who you are or what you’d do. I’m just warning you,” Mary said, taking a step closer. “Diskant won’t let you slide if you fuck up and neither will anyone else. You haven’t shown anyone but Trey that we might gain more than we’ll lose by keeping you around.”
It was official. Between Ava and Mary the bitch quota in the house had been filled.
“Well since you put it that way,” with a practiced motion, Sadie drew her sword from the sheath at her back, “I guess I’ll make sure to leave an impression.”
“You don’t frighten me.” Mary didn’t flinch when she met Sadie’s level stare. “I’ve seen things you can’t possibly imagine. The threat of hell loses its charm if you’ve actually lived there.”
Sadie didn’t bother reading Mary—if she wanted to she could see what the woman had experienced—taking her statement as a slice of advice. She didn’t really care to see any more horrific things today, not if she had a choice. Watching Leigh being driven away had pretty much put a do-not-fuck-with-me-anymore damper on Sadie’s evening. Mary’s sudden appearance and harsh warning were sufficient. The woman only wanted to say her piece.
Mary had made her point. She didn’t have to say anything else.
Voices rose outside and Mary no longer seemed important.
Sadie spun around, gazing at the doors that led to the back of the property. The pack had met at the barn. There was a decent amount of distance placed between her and them. Yet—from the sounds of it—they weren’t very happy.
“I think you’re about to make your curtain call.” When Sadie looked at Mary she found the woman no longer seemed angry. There was a sliver of remorse in the words. “Good luck.”
It’s no different than battle, Sadie told herself. Prepare for what you can’t see. Anticipate your enemy’s movements and attack before they happen.
If only it were that simple.
Everything rested on her shoulders. If she messed up everyone would suffer.
Footsteps approached and she froze, anxious to see who’d come to the house. The door opened and Trey’s head peered around the edge. His dark hair scattered around his shoulders, the black leather coat he’d put on stretching over the bulk of his muscles. When his eyes settled on her they changed colors, going from gold to amber. The lines around his mouth smoothed, making him appear years younger.
“It’s time.”
Exhaling through her nose, she returned the sword to its proper place.
This might be the hardest challenge she’d ever faced but she’d never backed down from anyone or anything. There was no way in hell she was starting now when Trey needed her. Sometimes people had to bite and claw their way to the top. She wasn’t above fighting dirty if that’s what it took to win.
She shook her shoulders loose one last time, clearing her head.
Walking to the man she’d risk everything for, she said, “I’m ready.”
Trey couldn’t believe his eyes. This was the woman he knew, an Amazon fucking warrior like no other. There was hum surrounding her, the air almost electrified. If she had any concerns about what was about to happen it didn’t show. On the surface she looked totally confident and alert. He hoped she didn’t play poker because he had a feeling she’d kick his ass.
There was no way to read her.
“Sadie?” He stopped her before she could step outside. He had to make sure she was okay. “Talk to me.”
She kissed him quickly, her mouth rough against his. Just as fast she yanked away and looked at him. Again, he couldn’t tell what she was thinking.
“This is the way I have to be,” she informed him, not cold but brusque as she continued, “If you want me to do this properly you’re going to have to accept this is how I am. Until this is done this is the woman you’ll see.”
“Diskant told them about Nathan. They took that well.” He started filling her in on the details, holding the door open so she could step into the dark night. “They took my news well too but we told them to hold their applause until they met you.”
“You’re not going to tell them about Aldon?” she asked, falling in beside him as he led the way.
“No,” he answered, reaching for her hand.
She wrapped her fingers in his but she didn’t relax. He felt the tension radiating from her. God help anyone who tried to play a prank on her when she was like this. She’d probably chop their head off and leave them for dead. He tried to consider it a good thing. Like this, no one would get the drop on her. At least she was ready to show the pack who she was, declaring her position in his life.
He punched in the code for the lock and opened the gate that led them toward the barn. Once they were on their way he took her hand again. “Is there anything you need to know before we do this?”
“Do you expect any fights to break out?” She still hadn’t lost her edge. If anything she seemed even more focused. “Did you sense any potential opponents?”
“No, but I didn’t give them the good news.”
Trey knew the moment the pack picked up her scent. They turned one by one, nostrils flaring. His night vision allowed him to see everything clearly. Sadie didn’t falter, soldiering forward. It would take a few seconds for them to detect something was off. Once they did…
Growls carried on the wind, merging together in a dangerous chorus.
“I told you to hear me out,” Diskant snarled, trying to attract their attention. “Don’t react without thinking. There’s too much at stake.”
“What is she?” a female standing next to the barn demanded.
“She’s not a human,” a male bellowed.
Trey studied the pack, his gaze darting over their faces.
Some of them knew what Sadie was but they hadn’t spoken up. Others had never seen a vampire. Usually shifters and leeches didn’t run in the same circles. Aldon had been the only one many of them had ever encountered. Their sense of smell detected something different but their eyes couldn’t gauge the threat. Without seeing a vampire’s barely noticeable fangs a shifter could never be sure. They might have an idea but not an absolute certainty. He wondered if maybe he could have tried to hide what Sadie was. The pack might have been fooled.
He pushed the notion aside.
Eventually they’d have figured it out and he had nothing to hide.
If this was going to happen, it had to be clear from the start.
“I’m your Alpha’s mate,” Sadie answered unexpectedly, stopping him several feet from the pack. “I’ve accepted his mark and the responsibilities that come along with it. I know what’s expected of me and I’m equal to the task. If any of you want to challenge me for the position feel free.”
“I want to know what she is, not who she is.” Another female stepped forward, addressing Trey. “We have a right to know.”
“If you’d be so kind as to look at me,” Diskant’s low growl silenced the crowd, “I’ll be happy to answer any questions.”