Envied

by Samantha Britt

  “Wait!”

  Gregory stopped. He looked over his shoulder.

  Paige blinked. “Why did you recommend me for the mission?”

  “Because you are a young woman, and the witch might feel more comfortable speaking to you.”

  She heard his answer, but she struggled to believe it. “But… I screwed up.”

  Gregory wasn’t sure if she referred to the club mission or their disagreement less than forty-eight hours ago. He turned around to face her fully. “Everyone makes mistakes.”

  A host of emotions landed on Paige’s face. The most prominent one being remorse. “I’m sorry,” she blurted. “For being a brat and taking it out on you. I’m sorry, Gregory. I had no right.”

  The nagging tension knotting his shoulders relaxed for the first time in days. He hadn’t realized it, but the way he and Paige parted ways had taken a physical toll on him. He didn’t like being upset with her. It didn’t feel right.

  “You were upset,” he said. “I understand.”

  Paige shook her head. “I don’t think you do.”

  When his eyes creased with confusion, she explained, “I wasn’t upset because of what you were saying to me. You were right, telling my father the truth would have made him kick Preston out of the pack. But I didn’t want that to happen.”

  “Why?”

  She sighed. “Because I don’t want Preston to think he’s affected me. I don’t want to give him the satisfaction.”

  Gregory prepared himself to say the reason seemed foolish, but Paige held up a hand and stopped him. “Wait. I know what you’re thinking, but I have my reasons.”

  He cocked his head to the side. “And they are?”

  She gave him a serious look. “You promise not to laugh? Or make fun of me?”

  “Of course not.” Gregory had no idea what would make her say such a thing.

  With a nod, Paige blurted, “I want to be alpha. And, to do that, I need other alphas and future alphas to respect me. I can’t go around crying to my dad if I ever want to be taken seriously.” She rushed to get the words out. Now that they were, she waited breathlessly for Gregory’s reaction.

  He let the news sink in and slowly bobbed his head. “I see.”

  Paige’s shoulders fell. “I know it sounds stupid. You must think I’m crazy.”

  “No,” Gregory contradicted. “But I am wondering if it’s possible. I’ve never heard of a female alpha.”

  He didn’t add that he hadn’t heard of a lot of things regarding werebeasts.

  “It’s rare,” Paige admitted. “The power doesn’t often go to a female, and even when it does, the female-alpha’s mate is often chosen as the leader of the pack anyway. A lot of males have trouble answering to a female.”

  Gregory couldn’t help but think that such sexism was shameful. He knew of many female vampires he would be honored to serve – Cassandra, Alexander’s sister, being at the top of the list. He’d admired the original vampire’s ability to run the greater-London coven, with both effective ruthlessness and grace.

  Power was power, no matter the gender of the individual in charge.

  Even so, Gregory forced himself to acknowledge that the werebeast culture was heavily drenched in masculine tradition and history. He imagined shaking up the foundation would not be easy to do, but it shouldn’t be impossible.

  “You didn’t tell your father about Preston’s disrespect because you didn’t want Preston to think poorly of you?”

  “I didn’t want him to think I was a weak female who ran to her dad with all of her problems,” Paige corrected.

  He met her nervous gaze. “So… you want to be the alpha.”

  “Yes,” she breathed, relieved to finally admit her desire out loud.

  “You suspect the power of the line will travel to you?”

  She didn’t hesitate. “I do.”

  Admiration filled Gregory. What his friend proposed would not be easy, but she knew that. Yet, despite the odds stacked against her success, she was not willing to give up.

  “I think you would make a worthy alpha.”

  Paige had moved her eyes to the ground, nervous to have revealed her hand. Hearing his supportive words, however, made her head snap up.

  “Really?”

  “Yes,” he nodded. “You’re clever, and I have heard about your success working under your father’s command. If your blood possesses whatever power is required for a werebeast to become the pack leader, I have no doubt you will be successful.”

  Paige was speechless. She stared at him, unsure if she heard him correctly. “Really?” she asked again.

  “Absolutely.”

  “Thank you,” she choked out, wiping away a tear. “Th-that means a lot.”

  Gregory observed the young woman, seeing for the first time how much she let insecurity plague her. Paige was so good at portraying confidence, it was easy to miss her fears of inadequacy.

  “Does your father know?”

  She shrugged. “I’ve never told him directly, but I’m sure he suspects. I think that’s why he brought me home for the mission – to see how I would handle the threat to our region.”

  Gregory nodded. He would’ve done the same to see Paige’s potential. “Telling him what really happened with Preston might help redeem yourself in his eyes.” The vampire could already imagine the disappointment Paige felt at having to confess her “failing” when she hit Preston.

  “Maybe,” she allowed. “But I’d rather not if I can help it.”

  “Understood.” A truce was established, and they agreed to move forward.

  Paige shifted on her feet. “Mind if I hang out here before the mission? I’d rather not go back to the main building.”

  “Of course.” He gestured for her to proceed him. “Come in. I just need to change and conceal my weapons.”

  “Cool.” She strolled inside and plopped herself on the sofa to wait. She picked up a newspaper sitting on the end table. She opened it to the “World News” section and began to read.

  Gregory observed her, noting the sunlight glinting off the light brown strands in her hair. He was effectively distracted from his task, observing the subtle differences one year had made in her appearance.

  When they first met, Paige had sported a youthful face with rounded cheeks. Now, Gregory couldn’t help but notice the sharp contour her cheekbones provided. Gone were her childlike features, and in their place, a beautiful young adult was revealed.

  “Shouldn’t you be getting ready?”

  Gregory moved his gaze up to Paige and met her amused smile. “Everything alright?” she asked.

  He mumbled something unintelligible about getting lost in his own head before turning to escape to his bedroom.

  He closed the door behind him. He placed a hand against his chest, marveling at the quick beat pounding against his fingers.

  What was happening?

  His mind began to take him down the path with an explanation, but the moment it decided to fixate on how attractive Paige had become, the vampire shoved the wayward thoughts aside.

  That was the last thing he needed to happen – developing inappropriate feelings for yet another young woman.

  “She’s your friend,” Gregory reminded himself in a self-chastising mutter. “Get it together.”

  Instead of listening to his own advice, his mind filled with memories of Paige in the tight black dress from the club. He saw her hips swaying provocatively to the music to distract the man dancing behind her. He recalled her coy smile when they made eye contact before she quickly averted her gaze.

  He opened the bedroom door and walked straight to the bathroom. Turning the faucet on cold, he splashed his face repeatedly.

  Despite his best effort, the confusing and conflicting emotions remained. He jerked his head, failing to dispel the attractive images.

  Creator, help me.

  9

  “Are you sure you’re alright?” Paige asked from the passenger seat. It was the third t
ime she voiced the question during their drive to downtown Silverton. Gregory had no words left to convince her, he was okay. The plaguing images from the club were distracting him, but he could hardly reveal that to her.

  So, for the third time, he said, “I’m alright. Just thinking about the mission.”

  Paige settled against the seat and crossed her arms. It was obvious she didn’t believe him, but there was nothing else she could say. Things were still awkward between them given their recent argument, and she didn’t seem inclined to push any boundaries.

  Gregory steered the SUV down the next road and parked in the small lot adjacent to the nearby shopping center. He turned the keys and faced Paige. “Ready?”

  She bobbed her head but held up a finger for him to wait. She pushed the earpiece in her left ear and said, “J.J., can you hear us?”

  “Loud and clear,” he replied through both of their earpieces. “Starting the recording… now.”

  A faint click signaled the beginning of the recording. They exited the vehicle and rounded the corner to approach the witch’s shop.

  “Remember, chances are she will be able to identify us as non-human,” Gregory spoke quietly to Paige. “If she engages us physically, I want you to get out of there immediately.”

  Paige huffed, not at all happy with the command, but she knew better than to argue. Gregory wouldn’t budge. “Alright.”

  They passed by several brick buildings until they approached the witch’s store. A sign hung over the store front reading, “Ava’s Herbal Cures and Remedies”.

  “Think her customers know a witch is supplying them with their herbs?” Paige asked with a smirk.

  The corner of Gregory’s mouth lifted. “Something makes me doubt it.”

  The pair shared an amused glance. They stopped outside the store. Gregory sniffed the air. When he did not pick up any other vampires, he nodded and reached out to pull the door handle.

  A musical chime sounded above their heads. The room’s aroma was full of incense and candles, and it threatened to suffocate Gregory as he crossed the threshold.

  “Good grief.” Paige coughed. “Seems a little much.”

  “Welcome,” a woman called out from the back of the store. “Feel free to have a look around. I’ll be right with you.”

  “Thank you,” Paige returned in an elevated voice. Then, turning to Gregory, she asked in a whisper, “Think that’s her?”

  Gregory extended his neck to look over the rows of herbs and other merchandise. He saw a flash of red hair dart from shelf to shelf, restocking bottles of essential oils. “Yes.”

  “Perfect.” Paige looked around. She picked up the first thing she found and pretended to be preoccupied with its label. “Act natural.”

  Gregory smothered his laugh. “I don’t think there is anything natural about me being in this store.”

  “Pretend,” Paige ordered, still reading the label.

  “Why can’t you pretend, and I’ll watch.”

  Irritated, she lowered the jar of ointment and readied her rebuttal. Whatever she intended to say died on her lips.

  Instead, she pasted a bright, warm smile as she looked over Gregory’s shoulder. He was momentarily blinded by the sight.

  “Hi there, sorry to keep you waiting.” The witch arrived behind him with a customer-friendly grin. “How can I help you?”

  Paige followed the plan. “I’m in here looking for some tea to cure allergy headaches. They’ve been brutal this season.”

  The young woman nodded in sympathy. “Yes, the start of spring has been awful for allergies. Are you looking for rooibos, green, or licorice root tea?”

  “Which do you recommend?”

  The witch proceeded to convey her opinion on the merits and disadvantages of the different teas available in the shop. While Paige kept her talking, Gregory took the opportunity to examine her more thoroughly.

  The woman was young, no more than twenty-six, and she was very pretty. It was no wonder she had attracted the interest of a vampire; the species was notoriously susceptible to a pretty face.

  For once, such a thought didn’t elicit the memory of Darcie’s face, but rather Paige’s.

  Gregory quickly shoved the image aside and focused on examining the witch’s skin for any obvious bite marks. If a vampire had fixated on her, there was a chance he’d fed already.

  He saw no such marks.

  “I’ll go ahead and make some tea for you to sample,” the witch said. “Would your boyfriend like to try some, too?” She turned expectant eyes to Gregory.

  He blinked. “Me?”

  “Boyfriend?”

  Both Paige and Gregory realized what she meant at the same time, and they both shared an awkward laugh.

  “Um. No. I think he’s good. Right?” Paige directed the last part towards Gregory.

  He shook his head. “Right. No thank you to the tea.”

  “I apologize,” the witch blushed, embarrassed as she realized her error. “I shouldn’t have assumed.”

  “Don’t worry about it,” Paige told her. “It’s all good.”

  The red-head dipped her chin. “I’ll be right back with the tea.” She disappeared into the back of the store.

  Paige waited ten seconds before speaking. “She seems sweet.”

  “Hm.” Gregory didn’t know how sweet someone could be if they associated with rogue vampires. He reminded himself to be on his guard.

  Paige sensed his unease. “What is it?” She placed a hand against his arm. “Are you picking up something?”

  The feel of Paige’s hand against him sent a bolt of fire straight to his core. Gregory stiffened and stepped out of her reach.

  Paige frowned. “What is going on with you?” she asked, sounding exasperated.

  Gregory understood why he had been acting weird since they left the pack’s compound. He hated that he couldn’t seem to get himself under control.

  Inhaling through his nostrils, he prepared to explain himself when a telling scent overpowered those of the candles in the shop. Reaching out, he latched onto Paige and whirled them into a space between two shelves against the wall.

  “What the–”

  “Shh.” Gregory leaned towards her while keeping his head up. His eyes scanned the store. He placed his lips close to her ear and murmured, “Vampire.”

  Paige’s reaction was instantaneous. Her fist clenched, and her body coiled – ready to spring at any moment. “Where?”

  Gregory jerked his head to the side and held a finger against his lips. He continued to scan their surroundings, but he did not see anyone. Quietly, he unsheathed the dagger at his left hip, brushing against Paige’s stomach as he did.

  She inhaled sharply. Her wide brown eyes locked onto his. Gregory didn’t move a muscle. He returned her gaze, both of them wondering at the odd feelings between them. Their proximity made it impossible to ignore.

  “Oh. Sorry,” a male voice sounded behind them. Gregory stiffened and turned to look at the intruder.

  They recognized one another at the same moment. The stranger hissed and dropped into a defensive stance.

  Gregory was quick to spin around and do the same – all while shielding Paige with his back. She tried to push around him, but there was no way he would let her get any closer to the volatile creature.

  “What are you doing here?” The newcomer bared his teeth.

  “I would ask you the same, but I believe the answer is a pretty red-head,” Gregory returned, baiting him.

  Another menacing hiss passed the vampires lips before he lunged. Gregory intercepted his attack by dipping low and catching him at the waist. Using his momentum, he drove the two of them back and into a display of organic soaps. The solid bricks fell around them, cracking when they hit the floor.

  Gregory didn’t feel a thing as he used his superior strength to subdue the vampire. There was no doubt he would win the scuffle, but he was surprised to note the vampire’s strength was more than expected.

  Thi
s one is not young.

  Realizing he was on the losing end of the fight, the vampire began to flail his arms and kick his legs without abandon. His only hope was to dislodge Gregory’s hold and flee.

  Gregory wouldn’t let that happen.

  “Who are you?” he questioned. “Who is your master?”

  The creature didn’t answer. He snapped his teeth, causing his elongated canines to cut into his lips.

  “Wrong answer.” Gregory lifted his left hand and revealed the silver dagger. He placed the pointed end against his opponent’s chest. Instantly, the vampire stopped fighting. His eyes widened with pure fear as he beheld the dagger.

  “That’s better.” Gregory grabbed the vampires collar and yanked him up. He made sure to keep the dagger close to his heart.

  “Now that we understand each other, tell me, who are you? And who do you serve?”

  Terror continued to dominate the vampire’s face, but a trace of unease seeped into his wild eyes. “I cannot say. Th-they will kill me.”

  “Who?” Gregory tightened his hold and increased the dagger’s pressure. “Who will kill you?”

  The vampire gaped like a suffocating fish – opening and closing his mouth in succession. No noise passed his lips other than desperate breaths.

  Gregory was losing his patience. He pulled back the dagger, but instead of putting it away, he lodged it into the vampire’s right shoulder.

  The vampire screamed as the silver passed into his arm. The stab would be painful enough, but the burning skin and muscle was excruciating.

  The reaction barely registered for Gregory; he had been forced to result to such tactics many times as the king’s second. Unfortunately, vampires weren’t often willing to divulge information without the appropriate motivation.

  “Please!” The vampire panted. “Take it out.”

  “Tell me who your master is.” Gregory barely twisted the handle, but even the slightest movement earned another scream.

  “I can’t!” He shouted in agony.

  Gregory was disappointed. He did not like that part of his job one bit.