Page 17 of Twist of Fated Mates
We break to do as we’re told.
“Do you think it’s them?” Nigel hisses.
“The rogues who attacked you?”
He nods, eyes frantic.
“I don’t know.” Part of me hopes it is so my pack can tear them to pieces. Six juvenile vamps wouldn’t stand a chance. “Let’s stay with Oaks and Silvie. We’ll be safe with them.”
We huddle against the far wall to wait. I’m no fighter, not like my mother. But I wish I were now. The urge to fight for Nigel tooth and nail wars with my common sense, which tells me to stay put.
“Don’t worry,” says Oaks. “Marina will handle it.”
“If not through diplomacy, then with her claws.” Silvie grins. “They won’t get past her.”
While I appreciate their confidence, I can’t help but worry. My pack is in danger. My mum is in danger. My mate is in danger.
Thuds and bangs of a commotion erupt from outside.
“Oh, no.” Nigel stiffens. “This is all my fault.”
Oaks lays a heavy hand on his shoulder. “It’s not.”
I wrap my arm around Nigel’s waist and tug him close. “Oaks is right.”
A struggle breaks out. Wolves snapping. Human forms grunting. A pained howl.
“Now, now, now,” says a voice dripping with condescension. “We didn’t come here to fight.” He speaks low from outside the building, yet his words are as clear as day. “My folk, stand down.”
The fighting noises die away, but the angry growling and snarling of my pack remains.
“Control your people, Alpha.”
Ooh. My mother isnotgoing to like that.
Predictably, her battle cry precedes a resonant thwack. “You’ve no authority here. State your business before I call in my backup.”
Well, that’s a bluff, considering of the four of us left, only two could realistically join the fight.
“We know you have the hybrid,” says the vampire. “Hand him over, and we leave in peace.”
Chapter Seven
Nigel
Charlie squeezesme tight and presses a kiss to my shoulder. “Don’t worry. She’ll never betray us.”
That’s not what I’m worried about. No matter what they say, thisismy fault. My responsibility. I’m going to have to fix it somehow.
Outside, Marina says, “Everyone here belongs here except you. You’re unwelcome. Your very presence without permission breaks the long-standing pact between our species.”
“That pact was broken when the hybrid was created, and we’re prepared to pay those damages through the proper channels. In return, he leaves with us.”
My insides seize. “I can’t let someone get hurt because of me,” I whisper to Charlie. “I have to go.”
“No.” His eyes blow wide. “We stay here like Mom ordered. You’ll be safe.”
“Maybe, but what about everyone else? Charlie, I have to.”
