Rather than get upset at his declaration, Sabrina simply releases a weary sigh. “Yes, the coveted, long-lost treasure of the wolf vagina, we’ve been over this several times. Some people will trip over themselves to try and woo me, some will attempt to murder you, some will protect me regardless because they aren’t assholes, and some will be rapey bastards. I lived alone for years, guys; I’m aware of the dangers that come with being born a girl. It’s pretty much the same whether we’re dealing with humans or wolves, honestly, with the difference of I actually have an advantage when dealing with wolves because I-”
I cut her off before she reveals her abilities in front of Tony. “Have us, you’re right. Ignore them, love, they’re simply scared and don’t know how to show it because they’re men. You already expect the worst out of everyone and are paranoid on the best of days, let alone when you’re somewhere new, so you’ll be fine. Shall we get going?”
Extending an arm in her direction, she shakes her head with a sigh, but takes it. “May as well. What could make an already awkward day even better than by meeting my mother-in-law?"
For a second, Sebastian looks like he might come over and hug her goodbye before he talks himself out of it, the three of them unsure of how to do any of this. So with a sharp, "See you in a couple hours," he follows Merrick out of the cabin with Leo on his heels, who shoots a nervous glance back at her as he closes the door. None of us speak as we listen to their receding footsteps. Not only could they hear anything we say, but there’s without a doubt a few people hovering nearby. From the moment we stepped foot on the mountain, we had to assume that not a single word spoken would be private.
I gave the Hawthornes shit for all of their scheming and backstabbing, because here, everything has always seemed so... simple. Brutal, unfair, but simple. Yet, it never was, I was just an optimistic fool with a limited vision of the world, barely ever venturing far from home my entire life. It’s one of the things I love most about Sabrina. While she’s a ticking time bomb with layers upon layers of convoluted wiring that we’re only beginning to learn how to decipher, she’s also refreshingly open. She’s the multifaceted weapon of destruction that accepts the fact that she’ll inevitably detonate. Rather than lament her fate, she embraces it, making everyone else’s fear of hertheirproblem, and cramming as much life into her existence as possible before it’s too late.
I’m not so blind as to assume that Sabrina will live a peaceful life by our sides. People like us, we don’t live until we’re old and grey. The best fate a wolf can hope for is to go out in a blaze of honor and glory, and Sabrina guarantees a beautiful death the likes of which I could only dream.
“No point standing around,” my deceptively sweet mate decrees, gently tugging on my arm and urging me forward, though she addresses Bo. The beta’s tense as fuck, like one strong breeze will be enough to topple him over. “As we learned from getting gassed at the hotel, if anyone wants to take a strike at us, it won’t matter if we’re hanging around in here, or out in the open. Might as well get as many uncomfortable confrontations out of the way as we can today so that tomorrow we can focus on where we go from here.”
Cinjin is still far too quiet, so even though I promised myself that I wouldn’t intervene, I put Sabrina in his path. Really, that’s all any of us have ever needed; for our paths to align with hers. As if we’d coordinated the effort telepathically, Sabrina extends a hand to him in offering. “I’ve got a free side open, if you’re interested.”
Giving her a small smile that doesn’t reach his eyes, he takes it, lacing their fingers together. “I supposesomebodyhas to shield you from stray bullets.”
“Nah, that’s Bo’s job.”
––––––––
The beta grumbles underhis breath, hating everything about being here, but puts in an active effort for Sabrina’s sake. “Are you kidding me? Sabrina will melt the things before they ever hit her, I don’t need to do a damn thing.”
As we pour out of the doorway and begin the trek toward the cabin my mother shares with her new mates on Hunter’s land, Damian chuckles. “Except blind every poor bastard stupid enough to stare at her ass.”
Unperturbed, Boden doesn’t rise to the bait. “Getting to see Sabrina in clothes that may as well be painted on,andbeat the shit out of guys for looking at her? That’s a fun weekend as far as I’m concerned.”
While they keep up a lighthearted banter that I occasionally chime in on, I continuously assess our surroundings. Several of the Slaughter’s pack are lingering in the distance, watching us through the trees. They track not only Sabrina’s every step, but ours, and as I meet a few of their eyes, I find so much more than I anticipated. Longing, of course, but also such intense hatred that it nearly causes me to miss a step.
This is a good thing,I eventually settle on. While growing up, people used to get into fights over every little thing, always stressed out and looking for anything to distract them for a second from their lives. But for the past couple of years, they’ve barely been able to muster up enough fucks to get into a fight in the first place. Their spirits have slowly withered and died, and while their animalistic halves have been able to take over more and more, even they don’t want to expend precious energy on petty squabbles. Sure, the Slaughter’s pack will always capitalize on the power vacuum when they’re gone on one of their fruitless hunts, but that’s expected.
Hungry wolves need strong leaders to keep them in check, because otherwise their desperation will overrule their fear of being killed, and they’ll break the treaties to invade the other territories.
Our men aren’t like that, though. They’d rather just roll over and accept their fate along with the peace that comes with death. So seeing Slaughter’s men get this worked up when a power vacuum isn’t on the table, simply from theideaand a brief glimpse of Sabrina? It’s promising, if not daunting.
While I wanted to give Hunter, Damian, and my men a reason to wake up and remember what they’re fighting for, I’m not sure I thought this plan through in its entirety. If they’re willing to fightWilder’spack to free themselves from his tyranny? That means they really are willing to risk everything. If you’re going to sacrifice your life for a chance, what’s the difference if that’s in taking him on, or your own alpha for his mate?
“Anything you can tell me to give me a leg up?” Sabrina faces me, already cringing like she expects this to be a disaster. “Topics to avoid, maybe a similar interest that I can steer things back to if it’s going poorly?”
Cinjin lifts their joined hands, kissing the back of hers. “Why are you panicking? You never give a shit if anyone likes you or not.”
Looking to the heavens for help, she groans. “I know, but this is different. This is Kaige’s mom, not some random person. If she hates me, things will be uncomfortable and tense until one of us dies, and there’s enough stress in our lives already. If we hit it off well, then at least that’s one thing off our plate. I figure right now, there are plenty of things going on that are out of our control, so we can do nothing but address those problems as they arise. The little things like this, though? It’s like having a list of chores looming over your head when you have other things you’d rather be doing. The sooner you knock them out, the sooner you’re free. I like the idea of scratching a few issues off of our incredibly long list.”
We reach a small drop off, and rather than go out of our way, I force myself to release my hold on her. It’s an intricate dance, sharing her with so many men, but it’s one I’m happy to learn. I’d rather a life with her and the complications she brings, than not have her in it. Honestly, the hardest part is keeping myself in check instead of trying to monopolize her attention, but I’ve found a solution for that as well.
I get the benefit of studying her when she doesn’t realize that I’m watching, and the only way someone can truly understand Sabrina is from meticulous observation. Evenshedoesn’t realize who she really is, her potential. Everything about her existence requires you to read between the lines, decoding her words and actions, when she isn’t even aware that she’s speaking in code.
Boden hops down first, reaching for her, and I pass her down carefully, though her skin heats with embarrassment. “You guys are being ridiculous, I’m not an invalid.”
Refusing to set her down, Bo smirks, tossing her over his shoulder and carrying on down the path before she can squirm free. “Of course you’re not, but you heard Leo. We can’t risk you getting so much as a scratch.” Sliding his palm up the back of her thigh, he adds, “Plus, we get the benefit of manhandling you. It’s practically an early birthday present.”
Rather than struggle, she grabs his shirt, utilizing her position to bite his side. He hisses in a sharp breath, missing a step, and Reid uses the opportunity to steal her from his brother’s grasp, putting her back on her feet.
Bo whirls around, tracking her steps with a heated look. “That’s cheating.”
Grinning, she flips him off. “And being three times my size doesn’t give you any advantages? Cheatingisplaying fair with you guys.”
Chuckling, I throw an arm around her shoulders, steering her down the path leading up to the cabin. “The only thing I could tell you is to avoid the topic of my fathers. So long as you do that, she’s going to love you. After all, who couldn’t?”
