Silence met his announcement. I saw Breezy grip Xan’s hand while Lyric moved closer to Rowan. Syn moved away from the crowd and came toward Kellen.
“Brother, if I could have a word before your meeting?”
“What’s up, sis?”
“You called everyone into the meeting but me. So, am I just to stand around out here and twiddle my thumbs? I got shit to do, so I thought I’d let you know you could just open our link and you could let me know.”
I saw the hurt Kellen’s announcement had made. “Fuck, Syn, I meant for you to be part of the roll-call. Damn,” he growled. “Don’t make me grovel. Get your ass in my office.”
“Well, next time, don’t call out to everyone except me. I don’t have a fucking mate, jackhole.” Syn stomped past Kellen.
“Don’t. You know she’s hurting right now,” I pleaded with Kellen.
The brother and sister had identical temperaments. “That’s the only reason I’m allowing her to get away with this shit.”
I seethed inside. I had no plans to stick around and watch Bodhi check his phone or see him slink off to speak with whoever was on the other line. Overhearing him growl orders at another person, as if they were important to him, made me realize I was beating my heart against a stone wall. All the years I’d waited for him to realize we were mates were for nothing. I realized all the time I’d thought he was waiting for me to grow up had been futile when I heard him call another woman baby in a tone so gentle, and one he’d never used with me as an adult. It reminded me of the one he’d used on me when I’d been a kid, and I’d gotten hurt over something. Only I could tell the person on the other end wasn’t a child.
Syn shook her head. “No more,” I whispered. I was done being the sweet little girl he thought I was. Hell, I was so far from the sweet, innocent thing they all thought I was, but I’d tried to be what he seemed to want in a mate. And it had been for nothing.
“Hello. You must be Karsyn Styles. You look like your brother, only beautiful and female. I like your truck.”
Blinking down at the petite blonde, I suppressed a growl. “Who the heck are you, woman?” Unable to scent anything, I waited.
“My name is Jennaveve, but you can call me Jenna. We are going to be good friends. I can feel it. Well, and see it, but I don’t want to freak you out. People tend to give me looks.” Jenna made air quotes around the last word.
I looked over my shoulder at Kellen and Laikyn as they entered his office. “Is she crazy?”
Kellen shook his head, then stopped. “Probably, but she’s Fey.”
As if those simple words should answer my question. “So, what is a Fey?” I directed my words at the newcomer.
“Ah, child, if I told you I’d have to kill you.” She made a slashing motion with her finger across her throat, then laughed. The sound was too sweet to have come from a crazy lady.
“Are we protecting her?” I walked around the self-proclaimed Fey.
The rest of the Iron Wolves’ top enforcers entered, settling onto the couches, with their mates on their laps. I chose one of the large recliners facing away from Bodhi. I crossed my legs in the short mini skirt, showing off my legs. The feel of Bodhi’s eyes following the movement usually made me want to tease him, but I was done with him.
Jenna stood off to the side, next to Kellen. “This is Jennaveve. She’s a Fey and from the Mystic Pack.” Kellen didn’t look or sound too pleased.
“Hello, boys and girls. Or should I say pups? As your esteemed leader has announced, I am Fey, and you are all in need of some assistance. That is where I come in. Now, I know you all think you don’t need it, because you’re big bad wolfies and I’m this little sprite. However, I can assure you, you do.Now, do you have any questions before I begin?” She gazed at each member.
I felt power swell, and it wasn’t my brother Kellen. “Alright, since you are all ready, prepare yourselves. It’s gonna be a doozy, but it’ll be over before you know it. Kellen, I suggest you and your mate take a seat.” Jenna pointed at the chair.
Kellen nodded and took his recliner, pulling Laikyn onto his lap. Not knowing what I’d expected, my head jerked back against the soft leather. Information filtered in quicker than anything I’d ever received. As my mind processed, sweat coated my brow. Minutes or hours passed before I opened my eyes. When the hum in my head eased, I looked around, seeing stunned expressions on everyone else’s faces.
“You’ve faced vampires before?” Kellen questioned Jenna.
Jenna nodded. “They are not all bad. The majority are good. You just need to know their strengths and weaknesses.”
The men didn’t look as shaken as the other women, and I did. It took monumental effort for me to stand. Even then, my legs threatened to buckle. Bodhi was the first to shoot to his feet, his hands on my hips, steadying me.
“Easy, sweets.”
I jerked out of his arms. “Thanks, but I’m fine.”
“You will be.” Jenna’s dark eyes assessed me, making me think she could see straight through to my soul.
“If there’s nothing else, I’m outta here.”
