“Why not go to your coven?” Nathan interrupted. “Why come to us?”
“They don’t know she’s missing.” Leigh lowered her head and fidgeted. “I’ve…uh…” Forming her hands into tiny fists, she continued, “I’ve been covering for her.”
“Why?” Trey asked, grateful he’d started gaining ground over his bestial half. The wolf was still there, pissed as ever, but at least it was listening.
The sound of a door opening was the most unwelcome noise Trey had ever heard. He spun on his heel, braced for his unexpected guest. He immediately identified the visitor’s scent—a combination of leather and Dial soap. Just great. Anyone else he could boss around and order to get the fuck out. This one, however, would smile in his face and take a seat at his table.
Fucking A.
The only human in the pack—Caden Stone—waltzed in. The enormous motherfucker had ditched his facial piercings—keeping only the earrings that stretched his lobes—but that didn’t make him less intimidating. The bastard’s size alone screamed fuck with me and die. Since Cade had covered himself with a leather jacket so his numerous tattoos didn’t show—and he wasn’t scowling, which brought attention to the wicked scar along his chin—Trey hoped Leigh wouldn’t freak out and rush from the room screaming.
“Honey, I’m home,” Caden said as he strode over the broken chair at his feet. “Looks like I made it just in time.”
Fine. The cocky asshole wanted to take part in the mix? Then by all means.
“You sure did,” Trey drawled, taking a step to the side to block Leigh and Nathan from full view. “Since you’re here, I’m guessing you know about the pack meeting at noon. I have some shit to do so I’ve got to jet for a while. How about you entertain the guests and take notes. Be my secretary for the day.”
“Like hell,” Caden retorted, standing like a fucking brick wall in the kitchen. He folded his arms over his chest and spread his feet shoulder width apart. “I’m not your bitch.”
“Diskant has new information on Shepherd compounds. They think they have a line on the group who does their dirty work,” Nathan offered. Trey heard shuffling—more than likely Nathan and Leigh rising to their feet. “You’ve been waiting for this. There’s a good chance you’ll get the names of the men you’ve been searching for.”
Several emotions flickered across Cade’s usually non-expressive face.
Disbelief. Hope.
Happiness?
Then his gaze became troubled, almost desperate.
Everyone knew to leave the human alone. He’d suffered more than any man should, losing his wife and unborn child in the most violent way. Afterward, when he’d lost all hope, Shepherds had swooped in. They’d tricked Caden, telling him shifters had been responsible for the death of his family. It wasn’t until he’d met Trey’s pack that Cade had learned the truth.
The horrible information and knowledge he’d gained had nearly destroyed him.
Those first few weeks with the pack had been tough. Cade was a smartass at heart and loved to push people’s buttons. Then he’d taken a break and returned. Something had changed, although Trey couldn’t put his finger on precisely what it was.
“You’re sure?” Cade asked, sounding grave.
Nathan appeared in Trey’s peripheral vision, his arm snaked around Leigh’s waist. He’d turned so she wasn’t entirely visible, her face hidden by the long fall of her dark hair. “I got the call last night. Diskant wants to reach out to other packs and share information but he promised you first dibs.”
Trey knew Nathan was nervous. He and the Beta had agreed it was best to inform the pack about their mates after things settled down. Right now the members didn’t trust anyone who wasn’t a shifter. If both of them came clean at the same time—confessing they’d mated to vampires—chaos would certainly ensue.
Which meant Cade couldn’t know who or what Leigh was.
Thankfully the gargantuan man was distracted and caught up in his thoughts. His gray eyes were glazed over. He seemed to be looking through everyone, toward something no one else could see. With a wave Trey sent Nathan and Leigh from the room. The wolf didn’t like waiting—wanting to go to Sadie right then and there—but he managed to maintain control. He had to take care of Cade first. Then he could put an end to his own misery.
After the couple disappeared he put a hand on Cade’s shoulder. “You can go it alone or you can let us help you. As a member of the pack you have a voice in this. We’re bound to your decision.” Cade didn’t respond, staring ahead, jaw clenched. “This is your choice,” Trey reminded the man. “You call the shots this time around.”
“Go take care of your shit,” Cade said, remaining still. “I’ll cover until you get back. I need to think.”
Not wanting to push, Trey lowered his arm. He didn’t want to leave Cade alone but he didn’t have any other alternative. Once Sadie was safe he’d return for the meeting. The pack would decide what they wanted to do and they’d have their vengeance. Then he could come clean, introduce Sadie to the pack and see what waited for them in the future.
It’s not going to be that easy and you know it.
Pushing negative thoughts aside, he left the kitchen and went in search of the tiny vampire who was about to start a domino effect. Actions always had consequences. Like any other individual, he’d just have to face them as they came. Even if it wasn’t going to be happy or nice, he’d find and claim his female. Like it or not she was stuck with his stubborn ass. He’d waited what seemed like forever to find her. He wasn’t going to let her slip from his grasp a second time.
After tonight, you’ll never see me again. You have my word.
Fuck, it wasn’t going to be easy.
Not by a long shot.
Chapter Two
You’re such an idiot. Leigh tried not to panic as she yanked her arm from Nathan’s grasp and rushed across the room he’d brought her to. What did you think would happen? That they’d sit down and listen to what you had to say over a nice cup of tea? They’re werewolves! Not people.
The way he’d touched her said it all. The delusional man thought she was his mate.
Like hell.
It didn’t matter that she was attracted to Nathan. It also didn’t matter that she’d had numerous fantasies about him since their first meeting. The man looked like a freaking Adonis—all muscles, tanned skin, perfect features and big brown eyes. She’d have to be really dead not to notice how good he looked. Her fascination was physical, nothing more. Emotional stuff was something else entirely. She’d sworn she’d never give her heart to another man.
How could she when it belonged to someone else?
Brett might not know she was alive but that hardly mattered. As long as she lived she couldn’t betray him. They’d vowed to love each other no matter what. Even if she couldn’t go to her childhood sweetheart and tell him what she’d become, she was determined to uphold her end of the promise. It was her fault she’d gone out on an errand too late one night and had ended up in the path of a crazy vampire who’d destroyed everything innocent about her and ruined her life.
“No you don’t,” Nathan chided.
A step to the side to avoid him didn’t work, her freedom short-lived. Whatever had happened to him earlier no longer affected his strength and coordination. He slid his big arms around her waist and tugged her toward his chest. His smell swamped her—so clean, so tempting.