“Is there anyone else?” she screamed, limbs shaking from the adrenaline coursing through her. “If so say it now!”
Murmurs came from the crowd and she felt the heaviness of their stares. She picked out random thoughts, darting from one mind to the next. Some were shocked. Others were impressed. A majority thought she was strong enough to be an Alpha’s mate but still wanted to know what in the hell she was.
The group parted at her back but she didn’t move. She knew it was Trey approaching her. Their connection had become so strong she could literally feel his fury. She might have won but he did not like seeing her fighting. The entire time he’d been terrified. He wanted her safe and felt it was his job to settle the score when it came to physical matters.
“You heard her,” Trey announced and slid an arm around her middle. “The same goes for me. If you want to fight for my spot say so.”
Of course it wasn’t going to be that easy.
None of the wolves trusted her, even though she’d faced a challenger and came out on top. Several of the males sized Trey up but didn’t speak, weighing the pros and cons of taking the man on. Sadie trembled, telling herself she’d have to find a way not to interfere if such a thing happened. If she tried to fight Trey’s battles he’d never be respected as an Alpha.
This is such a load of crap.
“My mate has given up everything to be here,” Trey informed the pack. “She has turned her back on everything she knows. You should be asking her why she thinks she’s capable of doing the job and judge her on her merits, not by what she is.”
But the question remained and it always would.
No matter what anyone said the pack demanded an answer.
She decided to show them. In a flash she phased from Trey to Diskant and Ava. It took the pack several seconds to find her. Once they did, they knew. Anyone who’d heard about her kind was aware of their strange method of travel. Ava moved next to her, so close their arms were inches apart. Diskant had already taken a couple of steps from the barn so that he stood slightly in front of them.
“A vampire?” someone asked, horror written all over his face.
“Yes, a vampire,” Diskant confirmed, nodding. “One who has—as your Alpha told you—risked everything to come here.”
“She can control him!” a woman shrieked.
“She could kill us all!” another woman cried out.
“I won’t,” Sadie replied, calling out, “I’d never do such a thing.”
“Yes you would,” someone screamed. “It’s your nature.”
“I’ve reached a bargain with your Alpha,” Diskant shouted, keeping his shoulders back, arms resting at his sides. “If any such thing happens I will hunt them down and destroy them. They can run but they’ll never hide. I’ll spread the word to every single pack until they’ve been located and killed.”
Sadie’s stomach twisted. Thinking of the horde coming after her wasn’t pleasant at all. But the possibility of something happening to Trey—that they would hunt him and put him down like a dog—constricted her chest. Breathing wasn’t easy. She had to fight to inhale, forcing herself to remain composed. Her gaze drifted to Trey and she wanted him to get away from the wolves and come to her side. Fear was like a spider creeping over her skin. She had to keep her hands—limp and unthreatening—at her sides instead of rubbing away the sensation.
“I don’t know if it’s a good idea to stay here anymore.” A big male stepped forward, addressing the group. “With everything that’s happened maybe it would be best for everyone to disband and find homes with other packs.”
“I agree.” Another equally large man backed the speaker up. “We’ve already lost too much. You can’t ask us to keep trusting you when you bring Shepherds and vampires into the mix. There’s only so much we’ll accept.”
No one wanted to challenge Trey. They knew better.
“That’s your choice but I’d ask you to think about the dangers you’ll face by leaving.” Diskant’s unwavering control impressed Sadie. Aside from annoyance with the pack he’d managed to keep weak emotion out of the conversation. “Shepherds just hit our city but they’ve been attacking others for years. You won’t be able to avoid them as well in rural areas. They’ll hunt you down. Here they’re not as free to move around unnoticed.”
“I think I’ll take my chances.” Andrea growled, scowling at Sadie. The angry werewolf looked at the people around her. “How can any of you even consider staying? You have a human mated to our Omega, a Shepherd mated to the Alpha’s brother, and now our Alpha has taken a vampire as his mate. Think about how much this could cost all of us. Is it worth the risk to your families?”
“She’s right,” Brandi snarled and joined her friend. Blood coated her nose and chin. “This is fucked. I’m packing my bags. To hell with this shit.”
A ripple of agreement soon followed, the wolves talking among themselves.
The alarm Sadie had for Trey changed, turning into panic for Ava, Diskant, Mary and Emory. With everyone gone they’d have to leave as well. That put them in a precarious position. She wasn’t sure what to do or say. Fighting hadn’t gotten the job done. Talking hadn’t worked either. Diskant had given the pack a generous promise in order to keep Trey around but none of the wolves were having it.
Sadie tried to do a headcount.
There were maybe fifty people in the group. Not all of the pack members had been able to make it, as they were guarding areas in the city. If even a quarter of the wolves decided to leave there was a good chance the pack would scatter and go somewhere else.
Think of something fast. It can’t end like this.
She tried to work out different scenarios, trying to find a potential fix. Then an unexpected scream echoed from the house, conveying raw terror. Everyone’s heads turned, their eyes focused on the source of the sound.
Mary.
Sadie knew none of them could make it to the woman as fast as she could. She phased again, traveling to her weapon. She grasped her sword and phased to the living room of Diskant’s residence. As soon as she landed she ripped the blade from its casing.
It was a smart decision.
Aldon stood across from Mary, who cowered in the corner of the room. Mary had a hand covering one side of her face.
The bastard fucking hit her.
Aldon spun, facing Sadie. “Where’s your friend? Take me to her.”
“The hell I will. I have to say,” Sadie whispered, griping the hilt of her weapon, unadulterated vehemence thundering in her veins. “You are one stupid son of a bitch.”
She caught his movement before he pounced.
Lifting her blade, she lashed out at her enemy.
“Mary!” Emory roared and rushed toward the house.
“Stay here,” Trey ordered the pack, following his brother.
The wolf had risen instinctively, the harsh feel of fur brushing under his skin an indication he’d better move fast. If he didn’t the animal would take over. He heard Diskant talking over the chaotic group, his voice rising over theirs as they shouted in confusion and uncertainty. Emory didn’t bother with the gate, barreling into it with his shoulder. The metal bent and parted, making way.
Another scream—this time from behind him—drew Trey short.
He whipped around, shocked to see Aldon appear right next to Ava and Diskant. Then Sadie was there, going at the dangerous leech with all she was worth.
Fuck.