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“That’s not how you say Mistress.” I feel her smile as her deep breaths even out and she nods off.
Veronica
I’m impressed, and that’s a rarity. My sharp nail taps against my lower lip while taking in the view. Appraising it. The pack’s estate is massive and modernized. I wasn’t sure what would await me, but this has certainly exceeded my expectations.
Just like my big bad wolf. I clench my thighs in anticipation. I haven’t decided how long I’m going to make him wait. I do know I’m enjoying the tease far too much to give in.
He isn’t going to hurt me, though. I’ve been trained all my life to kill. I’ve been hurt more than my fair share. But Vince, whether it’s because I’m his mate or it’s simply who he is, isn’t going to do a damn thing to hurt me.
Clearing my throat, I check my composure in the reflection of the garage window. Covens and packs have treaties and the Authority has strict laws so I’m protected, theoretically, walking into the wolves’ den.
I would have felt more secure on human territory, but now that I know what I mean to Vince, that certainly changes things. I don’t appreciate the anxiousness it offers me.
As my patience wanes, I hear my pup hurl the limp body of the shifter bound with silver rope onto the paved driveway with a loud thud.
A wicked grin spreads across my face as I listen in on the heated conversation flowing from the windows as two sets of footsteps come down the stairs. It may be faint to these mutts, but I can hear just fine. “I need it, Devin.” The Alpha mate is practically seething. Usually I try not to eavesdrop, but I can’t help the fact that the angry human is fighting with her mate. Although she’s whispering, she’s furious. I wonder what her wolf has done to piss her off.
“You’re my mate. You’re meant to carry my pups.” My eyebrows shoot up at his response. I can feel the low, threatening growl barreling from his chest. His mate’s response is even and firm. “I need my birth control.” Pursing my lips, I listen more intently but am unfortunately interrupted.
“What’s wrong?” My sweet pup looks devilishly handsome as he wraps his arm around my waist and kisses my cheek. I lean into his touch slightly, but hold back.
“Have you already told them?”
“Yes, they know everything. They’re gathering now to meet you.” I nod in acknowledgment. An odd sense of discomfort settles through me. It’s been a while since I’ve felt this way, but I think I’m genuinely nervous. I huff as the realization hits me. Shaking my head, I shut that shit down as I strut in my suede pumps toward the entrance with my pup following closely behind. When I get to the door I pause, waiting for him to open it for me, which he does easily.
My big bad wolf is such a gentleman. He leads me through the expansive hall toward the eat-in kitchen with his large hand resting on the small of my back. I square my shoulders as I enter the room and see the other seven members of the pack staring back at me.
“Veronica, this is my pack. Caleb, Liz, Dom, Grace, Devin, Lev and Jude.” He motions toward each of them as he says their names and they nod in turn. Both Liz and Grace look uncomfortable at my presence and it causes a chill to go through me. I restrain myself from sneering at their obvious distaste for my species. Or maybe it’s just a dislike for me. Either way, I don’t care for the immediate judgment. Although I’m used to it. I offer them a curt nod each.
Caleb and Dom are on either side of their mate on the left side of the table with the Alpha mate, Grace, next to Dom. Her small muscles are corded as she eyes me. A knowing smirk pulls at my lips. The little human is balling her fists under the table. It’s difficult not to laugh. I have to remind myself that she knows little of vampires. Whatever small bits of knowledge she’s been given have almost certainly been designed to cause fear. Devin is seated next to her at the head of the table and the other two pack members are on his right.
“Hello.” I greet them all at once, making eye contact with each of them as I take a seat at the opposite end of the table without hesitation. Vince pulls out my chair and scoots it in as I sit before joining me at my right. His affection toward me gives me confidence I wasn’t expecting. I’m growing rather fond of him, far too quickly. So much so that I don’t trust it. I know of mates and werewolves, but this … these feelings are uncontrollable. I don’t care for them.
The large wolf to the right of Devin smiles at me and asks, “Do you know the difference between ooh and aah?” The wolf next to him smacks him in the back of the head.
“Shut it, Lev.” The large wolf chuckles, unaffected by the hit.
“About ten inches,” I answer effortlessly with a straight face. I rather enjoy crude humor. Most of the pack laughs and Lev gapes, though there’s a twinkle of camaraderie in his eyes. It earns him a small smile in return. Grace’s cold gaze narrows and Liz continues to shy away, hiding behind Caleb. I make a mental note to mention a coffee run and a trip to the pharmacy before the conversation is over. They’ll be begging me to come along. A wicked grin curls up my lips.
I’m not the monster here; they’ll learn that. Monsters and evil exist, but that’s not who I am.
“I welcome you to our pack,” Devin begins, although I hear an unspoken but.
“Thank you.”
“Why were you in our territory?” Devin’s baritone voice is even and disrupts my thoughts.
“I respect your straightforwardness.” Meeting his silver eyes with a professional gaze, I begin. “As you know, with the new laws, our food source is now scarce. We’re doing our best to respect the Authority’s wishes, but the blood banks are hardly providing enough to sustain us.”
“Your coven sent you?”
“Yes.”
“Just you?”
“Yes; there are no others. I was hoping to talk after the offering on human territory, for obvious reasons.”
The pack nods in unison at that comment. They wouldn’t dare cause a scene in front of humans. Not when it means facing the consequences of the Authority. “I didn’t anticipate the …” I pause and tap my bloodred fingernails along the table thinking of an acceptable word. “… distractions.”
