by Aline Hunter
“I didn’t mean—”
Trey put all of his weight into his swing, gaining momentum as he turned. He clocked Diskant in the jaw, sending the Omega to his knees. “Mean what, you selfish son of a bitch!”
“Careful, pup.” Diskant recovered, breezing his knuckles over his lip as his gaze darted to Trey’s face. “Don’t piss me off.”
“Then don’t piss me off,” Trey countered, adrenaline pumping through his system. “I’m tired of your bullshit.”
“Stop.” Sadie’s softly spoken request pulled the men short. They turned toward her as she said, “You don’t have to argue. We’ll tell them what they need to hear.”
Trey hated how defeated she sounded. “Like hell.”
“You can’t help the pack without their support. It’s the only way.” Both men watched as Sadie made it to her feet. “I’ll do it, but I have a condition.” Her reddened eyes drifted to Trey, ice-blue irises condemning. “Once this is over, it’s over,” she stated briskly, as though she were trying to detach herself from the situation. “You’ll feed me when I need it but this…” Shaking her blonde head, she exhaled, exhaustion outlined in her posture. “I’m done.”
He wanted to hit something—hard. “No.”
“We don’t have time to argue,” she said, skittering from his touch when he reached out for her. “There are more important things to think about.”
That’s where she was wrong. As far as Trey was concerned she was the most important thing in the world. Without her he’d become a hollow shell, his entire life empty and lost. He couldn’t protect the pack like that. He wouldn’t want to exist if there was nothing to look forward to. Over time he’d not only fail his mate, he’d fail everyone around him.
“We’re going to face the pack,” he reached her in two steps, roping an arm around her waist, “together.” She tried to worm her way free and he yanked her to his body, holding her lithe form against his. “No more running, Sadie. No more promises you can’t keep.”
“Trey,” Diskant reprimanded sharply. “Think about what you’re doing.”
“I have.”
For months he’d agonized over what was best for the pack, going over each scenario as he tried to think of a way to introduce Sadie to them. He’d spoken to Nathan many times, hoping to resolve the situation without bloodshed or violence. It wasn’t going to be easy, regardless of his choice.
“This is the only way. I’m not letting her go and I’m not pretending she doesn’t mean everything to me. They can take it or leave it.”
Diskant’s beasts rose, sending energy from the man. “You selfish son of a bitch.”
“Pot calling the kettle black?” Trey ran his hand down Sadie’s back, his fingers drifting through her hair. “It wasn’t so long ago that you left the city to protect Ava. You handed the pack over and didn’t look back. You chose her over everyone else.”
“It’s not the same.” Diskant formed his hands into tight fists.
“Because of her condition?” Trey took a step back and relaxed his grip on Sadie, ready to shove her to safety if Diskant charged. “Do you really think that justifies your decision?”
“I should break your fucking neck.” Diskant lifted one of his hands and pointed at Trey. The Omega’s eyes changed colors, morphing from yellow to green. “You’ve forgotten your goddamned place.”
“That’s quite enough.” Ava appeared at the opposite end of the hallway, glaring at Trey and Diskant. “We’ll never accomplish anything if you two keep fighting.”
“Pinkie,” Diskant warned in a low growl, “I told you to get some rest.”
“I’ll rest when I’m dead,” she retorted.
“Damn it, woman.” Diskant strode toward her. “I’m going to tie your ass to the bed.”
Ava let Diskant’s threat pass without notice. “Kinsley will be here soon,” she informed them, her attention drifting to Trey and Sadie. “He wants to discuss the situation before he talks to the prides. If you need to clear the air, I suggest you use what little time you have before he gets here.”
Trey glanced around, trying to decide where to go. They needed to talk. Privately and unbothered. His mate needed to understand how strongly he felt about matters. He tightened the arm around Sadie’s waist and started toward a small bathroom across the way.
It was then that he noticed Nathan.
The Beta—who had remained silent throughout Trey’s fight with Diskant—moved to make room for Trey to pass. Trey hesitated, watching Nathan walk a few feet down the hall. The man stopped outside Leigh’s door, shifting his feet, studying the barrier standing between him and his mate. Sadly the door was the least of Nathan’s concerns. The true wall erected between him and Leigh was far more obtrusive. Nathan extended his hand, fingers hovering over the knob. After a moment, he bowed his head and let his arm drift to his side.
Poor bastard.
Anyone could see Nathan’s desolation and sadness. Gloom surrounded the male, shrouding him in uncertainty and confusion. His nature wouldn’t him to allow him to leave Leigh uncared for but his ability to sense emotion must’ve told him that his presence still wasn’t welcome. He turned away but didn’t leave. Resting his shoulders against the door, Nathan sank down and took a seat, protecting his female in the only way he could.
The visual tore through Trey.
If he didn’t smooth things over with Sadie he could suffer the same fate.
Determined, he lifted his female’s feet from the ground and rushed to the bathroom. He went inside, closed the door and carried Sadie to the sink. There wasn’t a lot of space. The area consisted of the toilet and a sliver of counter space. Sadie’s lack of emotion perturbed him. She hadn’t shown signs of sorrow or anger. Instead she seemed resigned, accepting whatever she was given.
Time to push her buttons.
She gasped when he let her go and spun her around. She braced herself with her hands, meeting his gaze in the mirror. Her blonde hair swept over her shoulders, offsetting her wide blue eyes. He shoved his hips forward, trapping his hardening cock between the globes of her ass. Although he’d always desire his female, his needs extended beyond simple physicality. He wanted her to know he’d meant what he’d said. He couldn’t exist without this woman. More than that, he refused to live without her.
“Do you want me?” he asked hoarsely, muscles shaking.
“I…” She broke eye contact and tried to lower her head. “I shouldn’t.”
He didn’t let her avoid him or the question, capturing her chin in his hand, making her look at him. “Don’t think about the bullshit. Forget about everyone else but us. Tell me the truth.” Bringing his head to her ear, he looked her in the eye and repeated, “Do. You. Want. Me?”
“It’s not that simple, mutt.” Her eyes flashed, fury radiating from the icy depths.
“Why?” He grinned, thrilled that her fire had returned.
“I can want you, but that doesn’t mean I love you.”
“You don’t have to tell me you love me. I already know. I’ve known for a long time.”
Those three little words coming from her would mean the world to him. But they weren’t necessary. Because he already knew how she felt. She claimed she hated him and he believed her, because the malice came from resentment. It was entirely possible to loathe a person you loved. The complexities of her feelings were a mixture of adoration and hate, neither complete without the other.
“You arrogant prick,” she snarled, her eyes filled with outrage. “Egotistical asshole.”
He nipped at her throat, ready to up the ante. His sense of smell told him she was angry but she was also turned-on. Her arousal drifted to his nose, the fragrance succulent and sweet. Bringing his hands around her waist, he plucked the button to her pants. He quickly lowered the zipper and moved back to tug the material down her thighs. As soon as her ass was bared to his gaze he made quick work of his jeans, working the button and zipper loose and bringing the material to his knees.
; When she tried to slide free he caught her, cupping her breasts in his hands.
“We’re going to face the pack together. I’m not hiding anymore and neither are you.” He gave the soft mounds a squeeze and pressed his swollen cock to her ass. “But if you want me, you’re going to have to fight for me. Even if the pack accepts our mating, females have the right to challenge you for the position. It’s not going to be easy. You’ll have to take them down to earn your place.” He rubbed his fingers over her nipples and she groaned. “Will you fight for me, baby?”
“I’m not sure.” She trembled beneath him, her wounded gaze relaying her need for reassurance. “Are you worth fighting for?”
Was he? Not really.
He’d let the ball drop over and over again. He’d hurt her. Left her wounded and bleeding out. Then he’d been an asshole, asserting his claim on her, rejecting Diskant’s notion that Sadie should be able to voice her opinion on matters. Thus far she hadn’t had much of a say in things.
No more.
He let her go and brought a hand to the base of his pulsing cock. His sac tightened and a drop of semen leaked from the tip. Bending his knees, he got in place. Her wet heat beckoned, her pussy slick and ready. He guided the head into her channel, grinding his teeth as her cunt accepted his entry and wrapped around him inch by maddening inch.
Fully lodged within her, he stopped.
“I have an idea. This time around you’ll make the choice. I’ll prove I’m worth the risk.” Resting his head on her shoulder, he murmured thickly, “How about I show you what I can give you? You decide if I’m worth fighting for.”
Chapter Ten
Sadie knew she shouldn’t give in. She didn’t need to make things easy for Trey. She was supposed to maintain some semblance of pride, show him she was more than capable of existing in a world that didn’t include him.
Unfortunately the heart wanted what the heart wanted.
All the resistance in the world wouldn’t do her a bit of good. She could try to suffocate her feelings, locking them away so no one could see them. An illusion would be created but she’d know the truth. Like a magician using trickery to deceive an audience, her efforts would be a façade.
You can’t lie to yourself.
She wanted to give him the chance he kept asking for. When she’d lashed out at him earlier she’d been devastated by Ava’s harsh treatment of Leigh. Her friend’s suffering had her acting without logical thought. She’d unleashed her anger in the only way she could, taking her frustration out on Trey. Afterward—when she listened to Diskant and Trey’s argument—she understood and accepted what Ava had done. Nothing would be easy from here on out. With danger from the Shepherds, the threat of Aldon and the possibility the pack might rebel or turn their backs on Trey and Diskant, everyone had no choice but to keep a lid on things at home.
Trey’s cock jerked, his hard, hot thickness spreading her wide. As they were, leaning against the counter, she could feel his weight bearing her down. She loved the way he felt, his large form like a shield around her. She lifted her head, gazing into the mirror. He kept his chin on her shoulder but his eyes were raised, his irises a beautiful shade of gold.
Would she fight for him? Could she?
She thought about the woman who’d tried to get his attention months ago. She’d been so angry and possessive. Using a veil to remain invisible, she’d slapped the woman’s drink, dousing the werewolf bitch in alcohol. Trey’d found it humorous. The woman who’d borne the brunt of Sadie’s wrath hadn’t been as amiable. She’d felt powerful then, proclaiming her hold on Trey even if he hadn’t been aware of it.
Just thinking about another woman touching him, whispering to him, holding him…
A tremor shook her from the inside out.
Of course she’d fight for him.
At this point she’d do anything he asked of her.
She hated entering his mind and absorbing his thoughts. Doing so was the ultimate invasion of privacy. But she couldn’t help herself. She slid easily into his head, gathering information. She’d gained a glimpse of his resolve, his determination to win her over. He wanted her to trust him even though he knew he’d hurt her. Each time she’d eased into his head she’d gotten to hear the things she wanted most. But she’d been terrified to accept what she found as truth. The last time she’d let her guard down he’d betrayed her in the worst way possible.
If it happened again—if she endured heartbreak for another time—she’d be done for.
He kept his eyes on hers and eased his cock from her pussy. She wrapped her fingers around the edge of the small counter, clenching the marbled surface. Goddess help her, she couldn’t look away. The intensity in his gaze—the way he stared at her as though she was the most precious thing in the world—made her eyes burn with tears she refused to shed. He paused, just barely lodged inside her.
“Show me.” Her request came across like a plea but she didn’t care. “Make me believe.”
He returned as gently as he’d left her, tender as his cock eased its way back inside. With a tilt of his chin he swept her hair from her neck. He didn’t stop watching her, kissing her nape. This time he didn’t take her with force. He moved cautiously, drawing out the moment until he was totally sheathed within her. His breath was warm against her throat, his lips soft as he breezed them over her skin.
If he was trying to seduce her, he was doing a hell of a job. She trembled with excitement and anticipation. A familiar tingle settled in her gums. She didn’t try to fight her body’s reaction, parting her lips as her fangs lengthened. Strangely enough, she didn’t have the overriding urge to bite him. Rather she wanted to let him tease her, was eager to see how long he could keep up with this new and unexpected game.
“I’ll give you everything I am. I’ll be whatever you need,” he vowed, moving his hips back, leaving her feeling empty as his cock slid from her depths. “I won’t let you have regrets.” His mouth swept from her neck to her cheek. “I’ll move heaven and earth for you if that’s what it takes.”
“Heaven and earth, huh?” It was difficult to speak and even harder to think, especially like this, with their bodies joined and skin touching. “That’s not going to be easy.”
“If that’s what it takes,” he repeated. “I never said it’d be easy.”
“Even if you have to leave everything you’ve ever known behind?”
Having him so close and saying such sweet things made her head spin. This was what she’d dreamed about as a young woman who’d never been in love. The magic of a stolen moment with a lover she wanted to wake up with each day. The wonder of finding the one person who would make her life complete.
“I didn’t think I could but I was wrong.” He grasped her hip and pulled her back as he moved, filling her again, keeping things slow. “When I thought I’d lost you…” His voice cracked and he cleared his throat. “I tried to convince myself I couldn’t have you because of what would happen if I did. I put the importance of the pack above everything, like I always have. I’d lived that way for so long that when I found you I didn’t do what I should have. There’s no excuse for my behavior.”
“You were drunk.” Yes she was giving him a get out of jail free card, but she was tired of fighting him, or thinking about the events that had divided them for so long. “I thought you might fall flat on your face.”
“That’s true but it doesn’t matter. I’m not that man anymore. I’m not going back to an empty bed, thinking about you, wishing you were right there in my arms.”
“This isn’t just about us.” Goddess, she hated admitting that. She wanted him so much she was almost tempted to say to hell with the rest of the world. He glided back into her, the thickness of his cock nudging her G-spot. “We have to think about everyone else.” She couldn’t believe she could formulate words, not with the fire building in her belly. “Maybe Diskant’s right.”
“No, he’s not.” Rubbing his cheek against hers, he asked, “Do you know why?”
>
She shook her head, biting down softly on her lip.
“We’re at war, Sadie.” He increased the pace, pumping his length in and out of her pussy. She rocked back, meeting his thrusts. “Our enemies will return. We’ll have to face them head-on. I’ve seen what you can do. I know what you’re capable of. You can protect the pack in a way I can’t. You can give them a gift beyond measure. If you show them that—if you pledge your loyalty to them and to me—they’ll have no choice but to accept our mating. Diskant will back my decision. They’ll trust his judgment. They might not like it at first but they’re not stupid. They know the danger we’re in. They know what’ll happen if we’re not stronger than the people who want to kill us. And they know just how much Diskant stands to lose if he’s wrong.”
“I won’t let you hurt me again.” She made sure he saw the warning in her gaze, making her intentions clear. He had to know she wouldn’t stand for any more bullshit. “If you want this, you need to know I’m not running. If I fight for you, you’ll have to fight for me too. And your protection has to be extended to Leigh. You’ll have to give me your word you won’t let anything happen to her.”
He stopped, his cock buried inside her. Letting go of the counter, she rested her fingers over the hand he’d placed on her hip. His fingers tightened over her flesh, his grip firm.
“I give you my word. Accept my mark. Stand beside me when I face the pack.”
Uncertainty and a healthy dose of fear almost destroyed the intimacy—almost. She pushed the emotions aside, reckless and tired of hiding how she felt because she was terrified of the unknown. Once he gave her his mark, he couldn’t turn her away. She knew enough about shifters to recognize the mark carried weight. The pack would loathe her for having it but she didn’t give a shit. She was a vampire without a coven, a woman without a place to call home. In the last day she’d learned those she thought she could trust were far more dangerous than a man who’d done something foolish in the heat of the moment.