Page 60 of Nearly Dead

I keep my chin proudly lifted, refusing to show weakness even as the unease crawls along my spine.The vampire in me calculates escape routes.My eyes dart around, trying to assess the number of threats.The wolf wants to assert dominance in the bloodiest of ways.I force both instincts down, trying desperately to maintain my fragile balance.

Rhea detaches herself from a group near the center of the arena.Her fading blue hair seems like it’s on fire in the bright torchlight, and her scars stand in stark contrast against her pale skin.

“Why did you bring her?”She doesn’t sound pleased.

“She needs to be here,” Sully answers simply.“She’s one of us by blood.”

Rhea’s eyes narrow as she gives me a disgusted once-over.Her voice rises as she sermonizes to the others.“She may have our blood, but she’s not one of us.She’s an abomination.Besides, she’s made her choice.”

Some of the wolves cheer.Others boo.It’s difficult to tell if any are on my side.They could just not like Rhea.

“Have I?”I challenge, tired of being talked about as if I’m not standing right there.“Because everyone seems awfully concerned about decisions I supposedly made.How about you ask me?”

“You chose vampire,” Rhea spits the word like a curse.“You reek of him and his preserved blood stores.You flaunt your sire bond with that bloodsucker while denying the call of your wolf.”

I step closer to her, ignoring Sully’s warning hand on my arm.“I didn’t choose either.Both were forced on me.And I don’t need to flaunt anything.Can you say the same?”

“Your scent says otherwise.”Her nostrils flare.

I feel my fangs lengthen in response to her hostility.“And you smell like wet mutt.We all have our cross to bear.”

A tense silence falls over us.From the predatory stillness that settles over the gathering, I’ve crossed a line.

Rhea’s lips pull back in a snarl, her face beginning to elongate as her partial shift takes hold.“You dare?—”

“Enough!”Sully’s voice cuts through the tension like a blade.He steps between us, his massive frame blocking Rhea from my view.“This isn’t why we’re here.”

“Then why are we here?”I demand.The need to argue and yell seep out of my pores.It would be so easy to let go and pummel Rhea to the ground to wipe the annoying smirk off her face.“Because so far all I’ve gotten is attitude and accusations.I thought this is supposed to be my pack.If this is how you treat a sister, then Rhea is right, I don’t belong here.”

Sully turns to face me, his expression grave.“We’re here because in seven days, the moon will rise full in the sky.When it does, every werewolf will feel the pull to shift, to run, to hunt.Including you.”He gestures around at the gathered wolves.“Without an Alpha to guide the pack, that energy becomes chaotic.Dangerous.Those who want the position will be compelled to battle to the death.In the old days, we’d let that tradition play out.Unfortunately, that path will result in our strongest warriors dying.With the misbalance of magic and power right now, we can’t afford to be so careless with our numbers.”

“We can make more!”James yells inciting laughter.

I see how their rowdiness feeds off each other.It would be so easy to fall into the frenzy, letting the mindlessness take over until all I am is rage and instinct.I take deep breaths and force myself to calm down.

“We need our center,” Sully shouts before turning to tell me, “This needs to be decided.”

“I understand that,” I say quietly to him, more subdued now.“But I don’t see how my presence helps.”

“Because some still believe you should lead us.”He nods toward a group of werewolves standing together on the far side of the arena.Their hopeful gazes make me deeply uncomfortable.Among them is Peter, Anthony’s childhood friend who had a crush on me.He tries to smile, and I have to look away.“They see your hybrid nature as strength, not weakness.They believe you could elevate the pack’s standing in the supernatural world.”

I follow his gaze back to them.They don’t understand what they’re asking.They see power not the constant struggle that comes with being a hybrid.

“And you?”I ask Sully.“What do you think?”

His eyes meet mine, unwavering.“I believe the pack needs a leader who understands what it truly means to be a wolf.We need someone who has lived it, breathed it, fully embraced it.”He frowns.“That’s not you, Tamara.Not yet.Maybe not ever.”

His honesty is refreshing after so many hidden agendas and manipulations.“What do you need me to do?”

“They need to hear it from you.”He nods toward the expectant faces.“They need to know where you stand.”

A hush falls over the warehouse as more werewolves notice our conversation.They gather closer, forming a loose circle around us.I see James with his permanent snarl, standing with a group that clearly supports Sully.There’s Rhea and her followers, hostile and suspicious.And Peter and his wolves, looking at me with that uncomfortable mix of hope and expectation.

I take a deep breath, balancing myself.

Sully steps back, giving me the floor.The torchlight flickers across the sea of faces watching me, waiting for my words to either unite or divide them further.

“I didn’t ask for Thane’s bite,” I begin, my voice unsteady.“I didn’t ask for any of this.”

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