The pack didn’t like it. Distrust and edginess was written all over them.
They did as they were instructed, facing the Omega. Trey studied Diskant, noting how angry the male had become. As the leader of the shifters of New York, Diskant wasn’t accustomed to people questioning his authority. Usually if any of the pack reacted this way—especially since Diskant was a born werewolf and had been raised with many of them—he’d stomp serious ass and ask important questions later.
“I’d like to remind you that I have as much to lose as any of you. My mate is expecting. I’d never risk her or the life of our child. This issue isn’t the most pressing danger we have to face. In case you’ve forgotten the Shepherds haven’t fled. They’ve only slithered away to lick their wounds. They’ll come back and when they do we have to be ready. We don’t have time to fight amongst ourselves.”
“If we don’t have time to fight,” a familiar voice spat, “tell us what she is.”
Sadie’s fingers tightened around Trey’s. He wondered what had broken through what appeared to be an impenetrable shield around his female. His mate’s gaze was riveted on the member of his pack who’d spoken, a woman who’d tried to weasel her way into Trey’s bed on more than one occasion. Brandi was backed by her closest friends, her bestie Andrea glued to her side.
That fucking bitch.
Trey was certain Sadie hadn’t meant for him to hear the thought. Her mental shields had to be slipping and he was growing attuned to what she was thinking. Or perhaps their connection was growing stronger. Either way he was able to feel her outrage and his wolf rose in response. It felt Sadie’s distress and wanted to alleviate it.
No, damn it.
They’d think she’d made him her familiar if he didn’t get a grip. Nothing in this world would convince them to accept her into the pack. The wolves would turn on them and kill them or run them off the property. If things got out of hand now a scuffle would ensue for sure.
“She’s the woman who’s going to help us protect the pack,” Ava called out.
Before she could keep going Andrea added her two cents. “She’s not a woman. She’s something else. She’s definitely not human. She reeks of something.”
“It’s called death.” Sadie let Trey go and walked toward the group. “I’ve been called a harbinger before.”
“Don’t.” He thought to her. He didn’t want to see her trampled by the pack.
“I’ve got this.” Her response was firm, her determination unshakable.
He thought she’d go for her sword but she didn’t. Instead his female faced the werewolves in front of her head-on with her weapons put away.
“If you have a problem with the position I’m about to take,” Sadie repeated, coming to stop a couple of feet from the women, “you’re welcome to challenge me for it.”
“I suppose that’s easy to say.” Brandi waved at Sadie’s back. “Since you’re armed.”
“This?” Sadie slid the strap from her shoulder and glanced down at her sword. With a shrug she cast the weapon to the ground. “I don’t need that. Not to take care of you.”
The prickly hum of energy around everyone shifted, tension quickly suffusing the air. Everyone in the pack reveled in the possibility of a fight, their animals practically begging them for it. While they were partially human, they were also partially beast.
Brandi sized Sadie up before she started removing her jacket.
This wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
“I have to show them what I can do. You’ll never get through to them otherwise,” Sadie thought to him. “And you’ll never be my familiar. I’d never perform the ritual to make it happen. But I don’t have time to explain that and neither do you. Don’t you dare move. Stay right where you are and watch.”
Before he could argue, Brandi unleashed her claws. He couldn’t breathe, his feet weighted by invisible sand. The shifter female went at Sadie, fangs bared. Without pause Sadie met the woman head-on and slammed her fist in the center of Brandi’s face.
The fight had started.
There was nothing he could do to stop it.
Chapter Fifteen
Stupid fucking bitch.
Sadie followed her first punch with a second, landing a solid blow to her opponent’s flared nostrils. Blood gushed, winding down to Brandi’s mouth.
Fantastic. Even better than she’d expected.
Not even two seconds in and she’d taken the lead. She hadn’t used her speed yet—and wouldn’t—unless she had to. The ignorant thundercunt from hell didn’t know who she was messing with. When it came to women—regardless of species—some things remained the same. Even if Diskant could manage to get most of the werewolves in the pack to listen, these bitches would cause a stink.
A constant stream of doubt and negativity could very well turn the tables.
Fuck it all if she let that happen.
She hadn’t expected the pack to surround them but they did. The wolves were so close they forced the women closer together. There was nowhere to run and little room to maneuver. She tuned everyone out, watching I’m-too-stupid-to-live Brandi shake off the lovetaps to her nose. Sadie’s instincts kicked in, a prickle of awareness sharpening her vision and hearing. She reached out with her mind, listening for what Brandi was going to do next.
There wasn’t much logical thought. The woman was all rage.
Sadie paid rapt attention to the woman’s wolf, who wanted to spill Sadie’s blood. The animal had started breaking free, trying to take control. She wondered if Brandi might actually shift. If she did it would change the game significantly. On two legs Brandi wasn’t much of a threat. Standing on four paws she’d be a lethal opponent.
The deranged woman charged and Sadie whipped to the side. Brandi soared past her, barreling toward the people blocking her path. In a second she gained her balance and turned. There wasn’t any sense in trying to drain the crazed female. Werewolves were stronger than vampires. In order to end the fight Sadie knew she’d have to engage the bitch and take her down. Using her natural abilities, she could do it easily. But was it the smart thing to do? Would she take one obstacle down only to face another?
Her temples pounded, her hands forming into fists.
It was such a thin red line to walk.
If she revealed her hand too soon the wolves around her might pounce.
“Do it.” Trey’s order was loud in her head. “Take her down.”
She wasn’t sure how he’d heard her thoughts and didn’t have time to question it. The certainty in the command told her he meant it. He knew the pack better than she did. If he thought it was best to take Brandi down quickly there was a reason. Her entire body pulsed with energy, her magic rising. She didn’t try to push it away, allowing the power to suffuse her.
Come at me again. She lifted her hands, taunting her prey. Bring it.
Brandi rushed her again, claws bared, fangs on display. Sadie stood still, knowing she had to make her move decisively. Time slowed down, seconds stretching out like hours. Sadie could see everything—the wind blowing through Brandi’s hair, her pupils dilating, her claws growing longer. It only took three enormous steps and Brandi was within Sadie’s reach.
Sadie reared back, putting all of her power into her swing.
Her fist made solid contact with Brandi’s jaw, the impact enough to break bone.
The female flew back several feet and staggered. Sadie watched as Brandi toppled, landing on her back. Brandi didn’t move, knocked flat on her ass and down for the count. Blood seeped from her nose and mouth, dribbling down the side of her face into her hair. Everyone standing around them gasped and veered back. Sadie kept her guard up, sensing there might be more women who wanted to see if they could do better.