She scored his skin cleanly, her fangs sinking deep.
He came again, groaning in pleasure, snapping his hips. The wolf snarled in his head, voicing its satisfaction. Their bodies crashed together, skin slapping against skin. She moaned as she drank, sucking, her lips soft and gentle. The sound broke something inside him. He slowed his motions, changing his thrusts from violent to tender.
“Love you,” he panted, clutching her to him. “So much.”
Before Sadie he’d existed only to kill. His sole purpose had been to make those who’d wronged him suffer before they died. The wound was still fresh but it no longer festered, eating away at his compassion, destroying what remained of his humanity. His mate had not only managed to ease his suffering, she’d found a way to piece the man he used to be back together again. Making him whole. Complete. He didn’t deserve a second chance but he was fucking grateful he’d been given one. His life would have gone on but he wouldn’t have known what it meant to exist.
She gave him that.
His cock softened, his body spent. He thrust his length into her one last time and remained there, buried deep inside her. Keeping his head turned, he closed his eyes, dazed as she drank her fill. Her fangs eased from his skin, her tongue darting out to skim over his neck. He shuddered, enjoying the way she caressed his throat, her long fingers drifting through the hair at his nape.
“Trey?”
She tugged at the strands trapped in her fist, bringing her other hand around to cup his face. He lifted onto his elbows, gazing down. Sadie’s irises were a dark shade of blue, her cheeks rosy pink. Her hair had tangled around her shoulders and neck. She looked like a woman who’d been ridden good and hard. He was a smug asshole because he loved knowing he was the one who made her look like that.
Her hesitation revealed her nervousness. “Say it again.”
His heart broke all over again. If she needed to hear the words, he’d say them over and over again. Until she knew just how profoundly she affected him and understood that he never had—and never would—feel this way for anyone else.
“I love you.” Bending down, he brushed his lips over hers. “I love you.”
“One more time,” she sighed, relaxing beneath him. “Tell me.”
He brought his mouth around, raining kisses over her cheek.
Winding down to her ear, he whispered, “I love you, Sadie Dumus.”
Chapter Nineteen
“They’re ready for you,” Zach said, motioning to the door.
Sadie squeezed Trey’s hand, trying to steady her nerves. It was time to run with the big dogs. She stole a look at the male beside her. He was equally alert, ready to throw down and kick ass if anyone gave her shit. A thrilling bolt of happiness cascaded over her like a warm wash of morning sunshine.
He loved her.
She’d felt the gravity of the declaration when he’d said it aloud. He meant it all the way down to his very soul. He’d do anything she asked of him, regardless of the cost. That level of dedication deserved equal respect and commitment. She’d prove she was worth the trouble. With time the pack would know she’d do anything for them. She’d offered them her fealty so long as they accepted her place at Trey’s side.
“Why the long face?” She teased him, wanting to lighten the mood. They weren’t facing their deaths. The pack wanted to see her. She needed to answer their questions. “Relax.”
His head turned, his amber gaze loving. “I’ll relax after this is done.”
“Come on, then,” she said, leading him to the door. “It’s time.”
Instead of gathering at the barn, the pack had taken up the area surrounding the swimming pool. They stopped chatting with each other, going quiet as she stepped outside. The sun hadn’t set but it wasn’t of any consequence. It had started to descend, making room for the night. The rays no longer beamed from above, draining her strength and scorching her skin. The fact that she appeared in the dwindling daylight seemed to surprise them. A few whispered to each other, their voices soft in an effort to keep her from hearing.
“She can’t be all bad,” she caught a man saying. “She’s in the daylight for fuck’s sake.”
“Thank you for coming,” she said, wanting to engage them. “I know you have a lot of questions. I’ll do my best to answer them.”
A large male stepped forward. The way the pack moved behind him indicated he spoke for the entire group. “Did you mean what you said that first night?”
“I said a lot of things,” she answered slowly, unclear of his meaning.
“Do you truly mean to accept the responsibilities of the mate to our Alpha?” the man asked. “Are you willing to lay down your life to protect us? No matter the threat? Even if it means giving up what you love most?”
Trey’s hand nearly crushed hers, his body trembling. He still worried for her, afraid of the idea she could be hurt or killed. She held back a wince, accepting the pain. He wasn’t even aware he was squeezing her so hard, locked in his own thoughts, imagining her dead and gone. She wanted to comfort him but couldn’t. If she did he’d seem weak. They had to project a strong image, united in front of the people before them.
“I do and I am,” she replied, staring at the faces studying her.
“And if other vampires attack, you’ll kill them?”
She didn’t hesitate. “In a heartbeat.”
“What about our other enemies?”
“The same applies.”
The male paused, gazing at her. “How can we know you mean it?”
“You can’t.” That was the bitch of it. She’d never be able to reassure them with words. She’d have to use action. “But if you’ll give me a chance, I’ll prove it to you.”
He didn’t stop staring, considering her words. The shifters behind him remained still, watching him closely. She expected more questions but none came. They had to want to know more than this. Why weren’t they bombarding her with their uncertainties? Why hadn’t they started an outcry to find a chink in her armor?
After a moment he said, “Bring them.”
Bring them? What the hell does that mean?
She thought to Trey. “What’s he talking about?”
“Not what,” he thought back, fingers loosening. “Who.”
A male standing at the side gate opened it wide, waving at people she couldn’t see on the other side. Women and children appeared, squeezing into the area one by one. Some of the females carried infants while a few others held the hands of toddlers. The older children gawked at her, eyes bright with curiosity.
She thought back to the first pack meeting.
Women had been there but no children. Come to think of it, she’d rarely ever seen the youngest members of the pack. And why should she? Children were the future. They had to be protected.
This was what she’d be fighting for.
Life with Trey took on new meaning. And it was a glorious thing. She’d protected a coven of scheming bitches, doing whatever she was told. But there had been no real pleasure in it. Here she’d have an actual family, just as she had in her childhood. It was inconceivable. Vampires usually joined covens and roamed the world. They didn’t settle down. For once, she’d plant roots. This would be home.
The idea more than appealed to her.
It suited her to a T.
Once everyone was inside and the gate closed, the male addressed her again. “Give us your word. Swear that you’ll put them before anything else.”